wo: The D

in soft golden light. Marble floors stretched out like a runway, flanked by m

e trench coat over a soft gray turtleneck and tailored slacks. Her hair was p

hat they

hing dark in one hand. The Manhattan skyline glowed behind him like a kingdom he ruled. Damien

turn when

late,"

replied, glancing at the sle

t amusement. "Cutti

ed into the room. "I didn't realize punctua

His eyes swept over he

te. Your schedule and access will be restr

thought I'd alr

hecked. That's not the

, then added, "And you? Have

ing dark passed thr

tted," he said.

a little. "Fear is a

ning in his eyes. "And what would y

oftly. "I'm just a no

le

voice low. "Dinner's at eight.

d the soft click of a dist

ensive, impersonal. Designed to i

ts and silent walls. The room was as cold as the rest of the penthouse-glass, steel, monochrome eleg

Security.

mple flats. The other half, hidden in a false compartment beneath the suitcase lining: encr

ers hovered over a silver ring with a LaneTech emblem etched beneath

back in character-wrapped in an ivory silk blo

ng table, swirling a glass of wine. He didn't look up

wild rice. Nothing extravagant, but prepared with a kind of met

t in silence?" sh

ys talk just

studying him. "You're

y met hers. "Ne

of something unsp

ontinued, voice cool. "We'll be finalizing the financial cla

cour

play your part, I play mine. We

et the glass down carefully. "Sounds

ised a br

decide not to sta

ir sh

iberately. "Then I hope you unde

subtle. "I never play u

night, his expression

swer. And ne

game had a