SIGNED AND SEALED; Still falling

vies. Old money and modern interiors, richly combined. Everything w

-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, marble floors gleaming under soft

ying across the shining surfaces. "This plac

d his jacket to a uniformed woman

lady I told you about," he sai

gave Catalina a brief nod. "I've prepared your room in the eas

mall bag like a shield, following slowly behin

rary bigger than her entire apartment. A piano lounge. A gym that looked like it

catching up to Alejandro even knowing

ulder. "I work too much

ear

s, privacy here is non-negotiable," he said evenly. "No guests without my approval, no interacti

erstood. No curiosity, no fun,

n his expression locked back into place. "I'm not paying you for f

f. "You're not paying me to be quiet either

ehind them, reminding Cat

llow my lead. My family will see only what I want them to see. You'll smile

d crack that perfect composure of his, but the look in

rrow you'll meet with my stylist. Sh

-

started with a

s Ri

face in the pillow. "Please te

Nina said firmly. "Yo

ists who looked like they'd stepped straight out of a fashion editor

ess," one of them murmured, circling

"Understated? Yo

e women smiled, a dimpl

Her hair fell in glossy waves over one shoulder, her makeup subtle but transforming. The dress wa

room Alejandro was waiting, adjusting his c

d, self-conscious, t

e out low. "N

ised an eyebro

oat, breaking the

really know how to mak

have been exasperation or rest

-

and money. Cameras flashed as they arrived, Alejandro's hand steady at the sm

urmured. "The

usiness partners, investors, politicians. She nodded and smiled and let him lead. But every so o

he room. Arrogant smile, not both

red, her palm going damp.

lejandro said slowly, vo

Matteo was already crossing toward them, sm

't realized congratulations were in order. Fiancée, hm?" Hi

ly at her waist. "Matteo." His vo

. "You wouldn't mind if

ndro said, polite but final.

ly, eyes gleaming. "Then maybe

t, the kind of silence that made the air feel thick, before Matteo finally smiled

xpression still unreadable but

murmured, low enough fo

she could feel the heat coming off him, close enough that the noise of the room s

ered, her heart hittin

lips. "Smile," he said s

th a breath away from hers, the wh