g Theo as he studied the agreement like

smirk that never quite reached his eyes. "Well, that's s

ract as his thumb traced the embossed lettering as if searching for s

zation that he was now tied to her, to this worl

ked up. "So, wh

the answer. "Tomorrow morning. But for now..." She stood, smoothing the fabric of her tailor

ed. "An ap

show. "Your first public outing as Au

k to Theo. "There's a gala tonight. Press, investors, sha

ck. "So, I go from being a part-timer to playing

. "Try to keep

cle of money, influence, and quiet wars fought ov

andeliers, casting golden light over figures adorned in designe

ntrance commanding, the elegant black gown she wore cl

n a storm of white blinding lights and she absorbed it all-the att

tepped out

er pocket in the convenience store. Gone was Th

ence, the black suit tailored to perfection, accentuating

hrough his, feeling the tension in hi

ugh for him to hear. "You look lik

s jaw tightening

" she said sweetly,

d the grand ballroom,

me discreet, others not, and

o's

seen him

his ne

own a c

p on her arm tightened slightly enough for her to notice his ner

o their words

ed slowly, straightening his postu

cut through the

was. Her grip tightened on Theo's arm

pt over Theo with the slow deliberation of a man asses

s tone deceptively smooth. "I didn't

quite reach her eyes. "I thought a

flickered toward T

itation. "Theo Winslow. Auror

irked. "Boyfr

her the satisfaction of letting it linger, she looped her arm more f

as they walked away, she could

oulders as if shaking off the invisible ch

, wetting them. "He ha

r. Everly stood, now engaged in a conversa

g look. "Oh, you'll f

ssistants approached. "Miss Everly,

thinned. Of co

to Theo.

ew together.

he shift in his t

handl

ok convinced,

and then entered a private lounge where her fa

. Everly said, swirling the amber liquid. "But thi

ng to give him the reaction he

hink my plans?" He took a slow sip, the ice clinking softly against

. "Theo is more

a liab

amily in debt." He stepped closer, his voice disapproving. "Is that what you've been redu

im see her falter. "I h

d, but let me make something clear." He leaned

She watched as her father picked up his glass again, then w

His smirk deepene