trides into Montgomery Enterprises and

ered quietly, looking around warily. Some paused mid-co

mach ti

ng had

astened toward the executive floor. The momen

was sligh

ai

-in rushing back. But this time, as sh

ffice, it wa

ed on the desk, the screen dark and dead. The glass vase she kept next

painted in bold red, was a messag

, OR

her. This wasn't mere intimidation

d her caused her

ha

the wreckage. His eyes roved over the

ng, he turned on his heel a

ng after him, called.

 and dangerous. He brushed past his assistant and past security, going directly

t squeezed inside w

to me," she

o fists. "This was personal. And the project was

 breath, reeling.

ured and calculating, blazed with something unabashedly raw. "That's pr

ers. "Then they chose the

cker of admiration, of something deeper, bu

m the rest of the building; it was private, with floor-to-ceiling windows an

on under the surface. A smooth panel slid aside, revea

tercom. "I want security doubled. Nobo

t, security? You thi

ng. "They're doing a great job, but I

ing th

up with a tablet in hand, featuri

ast night," he said, setting t

presse

breath as the sc

ter 3:00 a.m. This time, however, this intruder was not careful. They acted

toward the camera, a parti

ia g

n, faceless enemy. It

Cald

ember of Montgom

drained

er his breath.

is opposition to the project, contending it was too great a

e do this?"

e-cold. "Because you

lf, to gain respect in this business. But now, she found hersel

gerou

He was play

rous Pr

Ethan came back

him in without saying a word

leaned against the counter with his slee

ng to quit fighting for this project just because

hrough his hair. "No. But you nee

is gaze. "Th

There are others. People who have run this industry behind the scene

nded. "And now I a

dropping. "Yes. And that's w

ned. "What ar

the project. Distance yoursel

t. "You think I'm just going to give

hink you're walking into a war. An

You don't get to

moment, the gaze inscrutab

ly, fearless,"

her chin. "I

ing, just. Then, before she could respond, h

eath c

dmire that," he said, soften

ay. The threats, the danger, the war t

was ju

dged chemistry

his pho

he looked at the screen.

that? " Sophia asked, her v

expression had a darkness to

s that have made

wed hard. "Wh

is blue eyes flashing

d someone ver

breath

o longer j

t was