n to the
tightened around her wrist. His touch wasn'
lost thi
game was
the waiting SUV, his m
angry th
pecte
g the way he controlled every s
g me back to that war
oor but didn't push her
ing
but she lifted her chin a
ld not
ar pulled away from the alley, melti
taken back to the c
stopped, Valeri
ntho
skyline gleaming like scattered diamonds. Expens
a pr
ort
and loosened his tie as he cros
"What makes you think I
ed. "I'm cou
his confidenc
e me under control
mix of smoke and something darkly
now
locked, a ba
s pulse
ust about rev
was
them would su
sed to let it show. She had been raised in a world
rian V
ircling his prey wit
said, tilting her chin up. "But keeping
ng curve of his lips. "You're
s stomac
e an insult. L
if it was directed a
rned and strode toward the bar
er. He poured a glass, the amber liquid ca
ck toast. "You're fr
a froz
ction with cold amusement. "The front door is right
her eyes. Thi
of whiskey, unbothere
lenched h
sn't s
ve-because he knew s
of here, she'd be
hadn't co
n't come
but razor-sharp. "You know what happens
pine, but she forced he
ttle girl," s
for a long moment
urmured. "
tween them, thick wi
lowly. She wasn't
going to let
grabbed the whiskey bottl
king eye contact,
ing watching his opponent make t
me had
of them plan
didn't flinch. She set the glass down with deliber
to play games
ith the same quiet intensity that unsettled her
g choice,"
ed an eyebro
ayi
"You made sure I didn'
ement flashed in
d her jaw. He w
was a strategist. A manipulator. And right
im the satisfaction
g?" she said coolly. "You want me to do
e counter, his gaze unre
her stomach twis
art of her
uld have come
ldn'
t and lifted her chin. "
irked. "W
thick with tension, charg
you're going to keep me here,
ed her for a
ed away from the count
His voice was low,
nded, but she didn'
ng a single finger alo
meant to soothe.
ecause the moment you do, I'll have ev
eath c
use of h
she wasn't sure if she wanted to
ing. Break? He thought she would ben
make him notice. "You'll be w
eturned. "I have
the wa