last twenty-four hours crashed into her like a wave. The auction. Aidan Sinclair's bid. His sharp warning. The rules. She groaned, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes.

arance After breakfast, Leila barely had time to breathe before she was being ushered into a sleek black dress and expensive heels, her hair styled effortlessly by Aidan's team. She had expected to feel glamorous. Instead, she felt like a mannequin being dressed for display. Aidan entered the room just as the last curl was pinned into place. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his presence commanding as always. "Come." She didn't ask where they were going. She just followed. Thrown Into The Fire The event was held in a towering glass building downtown-some exclusive business luncheon attended by the city's wealthiest elite. The moment they stepped inside, all eyes turned toward them. Or rather-toward Aidan. People moved out of his way like the sea parting for a king. Leila swallowed hard. She didn't belong here. But she couldn't let them see that. Aidan's hand settled lightly on her waist, guiding her through the crowd. It wasn't intimate. It was calculated. A silent message to everyone in the room: She's with me. They stopped in front of a small group of men in expensive suits, their smiles polite but wary. One of them-an older man with silver hair-grinned. "Aidan. Finally decided to show your face." Aidan gave a sharp nod. "Damon." Damon's gaze slid to Leila, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "And who is this?" Aidan didn't hesitate. "Leila Carter." There was something final in the way he said