act of defiance, though she knew it was merely a small reprieve in the larger battle ahead. The penthouse was vast and opulent, the kind of wealth t

g light. A part of her was tempted to slam her fingers against the keys, to fill the sterile space wit

htaking-skyscrapers glinting in the sunlight, the hum of life pulsing below. Bu

o be a way

r thoughts. "You'll fin

ands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored trousers. He was infuria

sneak up on people?" she

every move calculated. "When those

d you, Conner. Contrary to what you might believe, I'm

e faintest smirk. "That's funny. Because I s

ords, but she refused to show

between them shrinking. "Who s

dn't afford to let him see the turmoil swirling inside her. "Why are y

ce lower now. "But my wi

I'm glad I can be your

e railing beside her. "But you're also a p

that before dragging me into your wor

t. But let me make one thing clear-this isn't just about you

ed to scream, to lash out, but she kept her voice steady.

father made it personal. He crossed a line, and now you'r

refused to let him see her crumble. "You're a monster,"

ng into hers. "That's why I chose you, Donna. You do

of here, to clear her head. Without another word, she brushed past him and

expected to find in Conner's cold, calculated domain. The shelves stretched from

ther-bound volumes grounding her. For a moment, she allowe

u r

e Conner leaning against the do

ere?" she asked, her voic

to the room. "It's my ho

if I had a choice," she mutter

moment before speaking. "

she replied witho

ood luck findi

flipping it open to avoid his gaze. "Don't

tone casual. "You're much more int

him. "I'm not here to entertain you, Con

n't a game, Donna. Not for me, and definitely not for you. You can hate me all

s biting into the leather of t

oice dropping to a dangerous

t she refused to look

ick with tension. Then, as if deciding he'd had enough, Conner turne

to her chest. She hated him with every fiber of her being, but she couldn't

p. If Conner thought she would simply

she would find a way to take ba