hat?" Damien asked in a quiet voice

n ankle-length beige trench coat, black dress, low heels. She made sure her ou

evi," she said evenly,

hing for hidden answers. "At nine in the

g tighter, willing her pulse to slow down. If he sensed

his cologne.The cologne was sharp, commanding and expensive. "Don

hat didn't reach her

ery nerve in her body was on edge. She had one chance to meet Mr. Gray

nothing like Damien's usual haunts. It was sited in a quiet side

t that fit too perfectly to be off the rack. He was seated in a

d, rising slightly

our message," Ava replied, sliding

weighing how much she could handle. "

. "Trust me, I know exactl

ow really knows him.You know the mas

"Then tell me. Why

our mother a debt

caught. "My

." His voice hardened. "Damien Thorne is dangerous, Ava. Not just cruel

ightened. "Wh

keover that destroyed three top companies and one of those CEOs disappeared. N

ists under the table. "Why

oser every day and every night. If you're going to survive, you need

d the sudden rush of determination.

faintly. "Reve

r, her phone rang.It was Dami

e ar

she typed back: With

He is suspicious. And Ava-don

g room, a glass of whiskey in hand. He didn't speak right away, just studi

i?" he ask

e. Tired,

We have a dinner tonight. I want

orites-not because it flattered her, but because it mad

g dinner with?" s

stors. I expect you to make them like you."

conversation, charming the Lanes with ease. Ava played her role, smiling, nodding, offering polite comments

of Ava's tongue. "Throu

e my secretary. I decided she was more

va felt heat rush to her cheeks. She low

tinued, clearly amused, "w

s a business arrangement from

. She forced herself to take a sip of wate

t her window. Damien sat beside her, scrolling th

ned to him. "Did

he asked witho

bought ornament in fr

a slow, cold smile.

ave to keep reminding me of the contract, D

er eyes. "Then stop pretending you

d. "One day, you are go

angerous whisper. "And one day, Ava, you

n half of what she'd heard was true, she wasn't just trapped in a loveless marriage. She was living with a man that is capable o

eached for it quickly, shielding the scre

Meet me again

ed. She typed a sin

ly.Meet me at the same

kept meeting him, Damien might find out. But i

in an unusually good mood, discussing a new deal. Then, casual

froze midway

h. "Funny thing. You we