Betrayal in His Arms

he mist; the city never truly sleeps, it only changes costume. Inside the Valoria G

of money and menace moves like current around a rock. He listens to half a dozen conversations without loo

he entrance again. She won't

he arr

tonight is black, smooth as shadow. The neckline hints more than it shows. She

u have deals tonight, signatures to secure, threats to ev

dler's instructions echo: Stay close. Make him trust you. Then finish it. She

he orchestral repetition of wealth. Adrian maintains conversation unt

untain. The man's smile is the kind that mistakes civility for invitation. She lau

ts down h

urmurs,

senator,"

rry, yet people part. The drunk doesn't no

ough," Adr

mself looking at the city's qui

a casual weight that feels like a verdict.

rs an apology

automatically, guiding her aside, out of

all right

alfway between calm and

her back before he withdraws.

ave managed this in

air between them tightens. Around them, co

," she say

the faint color rising in her cheeks. "You shou

replies, "basic de

low laugh from him.

perhaps

e in here would trade their fortunes

aze, steady aga

narrowing slightl

r than polite conversation allows. Isabella

mingle,"

aside but doesn't look

*

the marble floors. Adrian remains near a window, phone buzzing with report

e used earlier to dismiss the d

t a display of photographs. Her expression is softer t

quietly. "Yo

e. "I like stories

ll for m

expensive li

You think lies can b

smiling. "People pay for

ought unsettles him. He shifts subje

n't nece

, not nec

for a beat too l

*

shining. Adrian's driver opens the door of the black sedan.

s. The silence feels deliberate,

first. "Do you en

useful,"

e as enjoyable." She

njoyable gets in th

him. "You alway

out pause. "Yea

w. Control, she thinks, and

sion demands closeness; her instincts warn against it. Yet the memory of his hand on h

et pavement mirrors the neon sign of the corner flower shop

have to,"

kno

. For a moment they stand under the sma

or the ride,

tone carries no obvious warmth,

he entrance. "Good

il he hears the click of her heels fade inside t

from the front seat.

y. "Find out who that man was to

ng to make

ing loos

ar pulls away, tires wh

it's strategy-that knowing Isabella Lane means control. But even now, he can still

looks composed-hair neat, expression calm-but her pulse still beats in her throat. The ride f

s the door, sheds her heels, and crosses to the small table wh

e home," sh

oredom hiding curiosity. "Good. That means

us. I can't

et time, either. Resul

t. She looks at the dark wi

ontinues. "Steele's empire runs on silence. F

e click

against her will. Focus. Mission first. She pours tea, though it cools bef

*

doesn't

umbers scroll; reports arrive. None hold his attention. His mind keeps driftin

ore. You study problems u

shouldn't make

a-name's Vance Lowell. Minor investor with the

from the screen.

esitates. "You want th

"Something subtle. Let him thi

nods, l

ghts flicker. He closes his eyes, and her voice from the car

uiet enough that only the empt

r apartment. Her schedule has changed since meeting Adrian-she feels watched now, even among strangers. She takes a corner

smile. So he

umber. A message: "Breakfast s

er reaction. After a long pause, she types:

ar gliding past the wind

gala. It's part of the cover that keeps her close to him. Every email, every sche

t becomes. The foundation's ledgers are clean. Th

well-or he's not the

*

harbor. Men in suits discuss contracts, mergers, risk. He

aintly, the city beyond. Beneath the reflection, his phone lights: a reply from Isab

ck situation settled.

ar ready

or

tion bu

comment. He knows that tone means p

*

re the foundation sponsors an exhibition. Inside, soft music and slow conversation

ed into motion. Her stomach flips before she can stop

ear the success of tonigh

isn't ne

lattery if

play. The gallery lights paint fra

rking hard

tional

ways. "Hazard i

Doesn't everythin

miles. "Inc

wing. The hum of conversation fro

she says quietly. "Wh

e they

not an a

ly one that

g for the man behind the

long moment. "Same thi

es. She flinches; he reacts first, steadying her by the elbow. His grip is fi

r, steps back. "You

ch caff

much d

oves until someone calls h

es. "Duty

t watches until she disa

ter in silence. The driver asks nothing. Outside,

r. In his world, ignorance is weakness. Ye

y away. He thi

e the thought eve

*

report of the day. Her handler's voi

ne. Am sure your brother will

hought of her brother. The one person who often

protects you. That's progress." The vo

e neutral. "And w

nish this. He should pay for

ine c

dow. Somewhere in the rhythm she hears his voice aga

make her shiver, b

uth seeps through like water through stone-Adrian Steele isn