ce. She'd barely had four hours of sleep after the grueling first day. Every muscle in her body ached from the constant running around

Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and she silently cursed herself for staying up late to review emai

ted in her mind like a m

she noticed something strange-a distinct buzz of tension in the air. People were moving faster than yesterday, their faces tight

g a stack of folders into Sage's arms. "You'r

ked, confused as she strug

and apparently, he's requested y

rried down the hall, clutching the folders tightly as her heart began to race. The frosted glass door

the chaos around him didn't exist. Across from him, a group of sharply dressed men and women in navy-blue suits were spea

rned to Sage as she

, his voice slicing through the tense

d, stunned. "

the authority in his expression left her no choice but to obey. She dropped

amian said, his voice sharp yet deceptively polite. "

le narrowed his eyes. "What's this a

it seems my definition of value is different from yours. You're arguing about

ng between Damian and the

are why Bluebird Café means so much to you? I think our guests here need

a billion-dollar meeting? Suddenly, the room felt stifling,

ulse pounding in her ears

rcing blue eyes locked on hers. "Tell them why

putting her on the spot, but the challenge in his gaze ignited somet

d turned to face the room, forc

ith friends. It's where couples go for their first dates, where kids spend afternoons after school sharing slices of pie. It's where my mom used to take me

Mr. Holden, frowned as he exchanged a glance with one of his colleagues. Damian, how

relate to us?" Ho

uebird without a second thought. You call it opportunity, but to us, it's d

fé is a small example of something much larger. Every decision you make-every acquisition you p

s doing. Was he... defending her? Was this all a calcul

t. "This is sentimental nonsense, Cross. We're ta

othly, his lips curling into a small, satisfied smile.

he stood abruptly, motioning to his team. "We'll recon

thought," Dam

lurry of frustration, leaving Sage starin

she hissed as soon as th

t, unbothered by her ang

ing to her feet. "You threw me into

further. "And you played your part perfectly. Cong

nched at her sides. "I didn't ask to be part of yo

studied her. "You're right-you're not my puppet. But yo

that?" she

st proved that emotion can be as powerful as

d taken her raw emotions-her story-and turned them into a weapon,

to me again," she

for a long moment before he ga

ine. Damian Cross was dangerous, and not just because of his power or his wealth. He had

at her desk, she realized someth

d win. Not just in business-but over her

er what