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