d guests. All eyes on Clara and the strang
e bright lights, he looked nothing like a bartender. His suit was bespoke. Th
down. It didn't matter.
. Low. Steady. "Do you un
ep. "I understand perfectly. You provide the sha
hand on Clara's arm. Suspicious eyes as he loo
diate problem." Dimitri's tone was even. Respec
She looked at her father. Begging him to trust he
ter's eyes-the same resolve that had just
aping like a fish. "Mr. Peterson, if you please. We
from the ballroom. Mr. Peterson jolted into action by a sh
Braden shrieked, his voice fading as he w
ocus was entirely on the
was warm. His grip firm and reassuring. Strange. Unwelcom
. The guests parted befo
ling. When he reached the question, both Clara an
t had been present for this wedding was
nd and wife." Mr. Peterson
iss. Just a soft, brief kiss on he
lawyer stepped forward from the wings. A f
angle of his hand. He wrote "Dimitri Vance." An old family name on his mother's side. Obscure enoug
Vance. Meant nothing to
deal was sealed. The chaotic
adrenaline that had fueled her for weeks van
e. Steadying her. "My car is out
e. Dimitri addressed them with polite but unshakeable
hundreds of staring eyes. She gave her parent
f the hotel's grand entrance. A sleek black Bentley
ece that didn't fit. How could a ba
"I forgot to ask," he said. A hint of a smile in
slid into the plush leather seat. The car pulled away. Left the wr
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