tiquette consultations, scheduled appearances, and meetings she wasn't allowed to speak in. Every movement was chor

n Sinclair might have bought a wi

d an invitation-hand-delivered by E

l dinner tonight," Elena announced with a warm

ed an eyebrow. "Are we

st business partners. But

inner with Damien's world meant one thin

own was a midnight blue sheath that clung to her curves with quiet power. Her hair was sw

looking every inch the mogul in a tailored black tuxedo. For the

well," he sa

reful. That almost soun

d his arm

gers barely brushing

r suits and women draped in couture sipped champagne beneath crystal chandeliers

ite: hedge fund titans, luxury brand CEOs, old-money heiresses.

r," purred Clarissa Hale, a fas

ed. "In t

o, dear?" Clarissa as

ing matrimony with

amien's jaw twitched. Cl

turning to Damien, "she

allions-all presented like edible art. Aria played the part, but her s

urned to mergers. A strategic acquisition w

ng, a tech magnate. "But the media's been poking around your personal

landed

rs. The gesture was public. Calcula

ce," he said smoothly. "Exactly

ce. Then Clarissa leaned

y? Or a s

waver. "Sometimes they

f the necklace and hu

t and the doors closed behind

e hissed, yanking

That was the arran

pawn. I didn't agree to b

y wife. This is wha

dissected over duck confit by str

e I make is scrutinized. One crack and it all col

the right to make

silence, both

You held your own tonight. Clariss

ed. "Don't complimen

to anyone qu

e stairs, "get used to it. You marr

ing in her hair. Her fingers gripped the stone railing as she stared out at the

's hand had sent warmth racing up her arm. Or how his r

arrangement-but what could s

at her door

n," she

tuxedo and in a simple white dress shi

pushed you tonight

wary. "Then

hess. And I forget sometimes.

her heart knocking

re, Damien. But I won't be a f

once. "Fai

again, something unspo

loser. "Good

barely a whisp

soft click of the door e

he strange ache of walls shifting