sharp jawline, and the cold, calculating look in his eyes made it clear that he was a man who could not be swayed. The meeting with his board members

usting his glasses. "The merger with Voss Enterprises will be a ga

hat damn smile. Even now, hours after she had left his office, he could still feel the magnetic pull she had on h

utting off the murmurs around the table. "Move forw

had expected more scrutiny from him, more questions, but Sebastian had made up his mind. He wasn't inte

efiant gaze, and the way she made him feel vulnerable in a way no one e

at had earned him his reputation. "You'll have my signature by the e

ever want-wealth, power, respect-but it felt empty. He had been alone for so long that the quiet had

en his phone buzzed. He glanced at the

talk. Com

moment, then type

be t

what Damien wanted to discuss, but for the first time in a long time, Sebastian didn't

-

unexpected sense of apprehension. His best friend was seated at a corner table, his usual confident demean

rved, raising an eyebrow. "What's going

weight of his emotions threatening to overwhelm him. H

, his voice tight. "Just..

moment, clearly unconvinc

f a favor and walk away," Damien said bluntly. "You're not the

unease through him. He didn't want to admit it, but Damien wa

amien," Sebastian snapped, his voice

he man you used to be. You're becoming someone else. And I'

ruth in them. He had worked so hard to build his empire, to create a life wher

ing up abruptly. "I don't

llow him whole. As he stepped out into the cold night air, he realized that his thoughts weren't on the deal he had just

st time in year