was grand, bu

ished floors, and servers weaved through

he sea of wealth and power,

firm, his fingers a quiet reminder

oked at them,like they were

e truth. No on

r her ear, his breath warm

ression, knowing better t

s filled the air as they ste

n, my

approached. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked b

e beautiful wife I'v

ed her hand

ced herself, though the nam

ed, shaking he

lli. It's a p

tened as he exchanged pl

s powerful as h

om. These were Jason's allies, business moguls, po

but she masked it wit

she s

he

lad in a dark suit that made

nto hers, unreada

around her dulling as the weigh

as h

hift because his grip on her

's wr

orcing herself

ust...takin

ssing a lingering kiss to her temple, a s

oo

r nose, steadying herse

's eyes told her one thing, he

whil

hed Jason touch her, parade her

ol not to storm across the r

aped in a black dress t

ection. But Asher knew

s, the way her fingers clenched sl

a role, just li

for

os

s right-hand man, Damien, stood

everywhere. We n

immediately, his gaze

er of desperation in her eyes. She neede

leaving wit

ly said, vo

the team's

nod before disappe

eath, forcing himsel

from a passing waiter and made

f Jason wanted a

s conversations, forced laughter,

pearances, but

torm brewing just beyond the horiz

o speak with Morelli again,

d, she stepped onto the terrace,

n't be alon

e turned, already kn

the shadows, hi

us and relieved, like he was b

spered, her voic

ing her wrist, not to hu

you

hesit

m f

es dar

lie t

haled

d no c

ched. "There's a

d. "Not when Jason

nd her wrist before he let go, running

you out of he

eart

t that si

n't c

oice lowering. "You don

before she could respond, the sou

so

back. Asher's expression hardened in

to the terrace,

going

ile, hoping her pulse

tting so

o Asher, his expressio

ct to see you

"Didn't think you'd mind. I hear y

p on her waist returned, firm

but his eyes were anythin

focating, a silent battle neithe

on pulled her closer, his f

ack inside," Jason murmured,

last time. His gaze bore into hers, a

wasn'

a lon