nsion was the rustle of Isabella's silk dress as she gently descended. She was uneasy because of what had happened that night, but she didn't want to show it. Control-control over others

wledge. "You're not invincible." As she paced the floor, planning her next move, they had reverberated in her head. She would not misjudge him again, as she had done once b

d back at her. She had polished the coldness in her eyes and the severe angles of her face. H

d her back straightened. Although her security staff had been told to ke

alm, authoritati

k suit. For many years, Claire had been her reliable business partner. Wit

as she stated, "Isabella,

eyebrows we

me looming like a threa

not something Dominic did, at least not without a very precise purpose.

nt about talking to you. H

ologize. She was aware of that. No, he was here to get w

nded, "Send him in," i

d rage, and he wore a dark suit with a nicely knotted tie. There was something else, though, something calculated in spite of the rage

ady voice despite her mind racing. "I assumed you would rather

any warmth. "I don't always use public encounter

eyes. "Then, speak.

to waste time. I will not allow you to embarrass me once more. However, I am also awa

ould come stumbling in an attempt to regain some kind of authority. She was surprised by the su

" Her voice clipped as she asked. She

t is simple." What's mine is what I want.

oms, but her pulse quickened. As

ined strength is greater than our individual strength. Many adversaries in the corporate sector wish for us

pend on anyone, much less a man such as he was. However, she was intrigued by something in his proposal. Their shared desire

ce, "I'm not interested in partnerships."

s smile. "You made a mistake. Winnin

used to back down. "You don't have to

check on that. Isabella, you're not as untouchable as you

herself. She was determined to avoid showing any weakness to Dominic. "You'v

's eyes darkened. "You think you're invincible," he remarked

started to head for the door but

ered, "Isabella, you'll regret turning m

w breathing, she resisted allowing the feelings that were brewing inside of her to take over. Although Dominic posed a th

mpty spot where Dominic had once been. Would she be able to handle this on her own? Would she be able to

turn. Time for some phone calls. It was time to se

he had been way too persistent. Earlier, she had written him off as a distraction, but now that Dominic was thr

e the pieces were gradually coming together.