a's

s living room, a glass of wine in her hand, sitting across from Max Kingston. His presence was overpowering, yet oddly comforting. His gaze wasn't like the

So, Lena," he began, his voice smooth and inviting. "Tell me

saw her as a means to an end-a servant, someone to do their bidding. But Max was different. He se

arded. She took a sip of her wine, hoping it would ea

d with her answer. "I don't believe that. T

so soon. Max Kingston wasn't like other men. His wealth, his status-it didn't seem to matter to him in

were speaking to himself. "I mean, I've been thinking about it since I first

o steady her nerves. She had to be careful. Max was a billionaire. Hi

aid, keeping the respon

thing in the way she said it, something that made him want to learn more, even if it was uncomfo

at the party earlier, and the food. Simple things. But Max kept returning to

the conversation away from herself. She couldn'

tachments. The pain, the betrayal-it was always there, lurking just beneath the surface. Men

on his knees. There was something about him in t

walls around you, L

had no idea what he meant, but the way he looked at her-it unsettled her. It felt lik

, trying to sound nonchalant.

, knowing smile. "True. But no

ocus. It made her feel exposed. But there was something in the way Max spoke to her-l

walls down," she whispered, alm

hile before speaking again. "Maybe you don't have to. But I'

ow-there was something more here. Something that went beyond ca

eared at the doorway, silhouetted against the light. Lena recognized him immediatel

ce urgent. "There's a situat

anic setting in instantly. Her

x, before answering. "It's your sister. She's

o process what was happening. Her mind raced. This couldn't

hed across his face. "I'll dri

chest tightening. "No. I

ng around her. Max followed, calling after her, but she couldn't st

-

x's

didn't know what had just happened, but he felt a surge of protectiveness toward her. It wasn't just the fact that

d he offer his help? He knew she had turned down his offe

ing about Lena that made him feel like he needed to be there. Something that made him want to

ad to give it, even i