'd called it, as though video conferences didn't exist. Now, less than a week after the takeover

and budget hotels. Now everything smelled like leather, polished wood, and money. The irony wasn

e keys like a pianist. I hated how effortlessly composed he looked - navy sweater ins

rtually," I said, crossing my legs and staring out t

y for access. They want handshak

nce that you've lea

up, one eyebrow arching.

hat you'r

is lips. "You have a s

to tell

rd me. "Then tell me the truth now. Why did

e my company. What other

"You could have fought harder. Found anoth

ant me to thank you for mak

ow now, serious. "I w

ed back out the window. "You can understand

ly hostile. The engine hummed, the cabin crew wh

ône. There's a dinner with the European GreenTech Council tomorr

what exactly do you expect

isionary. Convincing. They already tru

. "You need the

said my name - slow, deliberate - sent an involuntar

always mean bett

a softer smile this ti

before I could stop myself. Damian's hand moved instinctively toward mine, the

," I said

er of something unreadable pas

ion in the cabin didn't. I pretended to s

He wasn't only trying to take over my company. He was

ack, the driver silent. I sat stiffly in the back seat as we crossed a bridge lined with fluttering flags.

cony was ridiculous: the Rhône flowing like molten glass, the Alps hazy in the distanc

find Damian, jacket off now, tie loosened. Witho

id. "Black tie. They'll ex

y arms. "A

orrected softly. "

ested in winni

mine. "Then

fore I cou

d how much it felt like preparing for battle and a date at the same time. When I stepped into th

said, his voice like vel

eplied, stepping p

in the mirrored walls - predator and prey, or maybe

have to like me, Elena. But y

d have. I stared at the floor numbers li

quietly. "But

by, where photographers waited like wolves. Damian offered his

t least on the surface. Underneath, my heart was a storm, and I

eminded myself.

er mine, steady but not possessive, a

enough - not to outmaneu