e away from him. The image of Claire curled up in Zach's lap, him comforting her as she cried, because hell if anyone deserved to cry it was Claire B

lood. Transferring the broken glass from his hand to the coffee table on the balcony, he shook the drople

l and saw his friend George Alan pacing the area between the designer sofas and the dining table. George was pi

she hadn't known her brother would show up and ruin months o

her to leave the retreat immediately, taking her brother with her, Claire knew that her reputation was about to take another beating, and Damian

from him. And that, he

ms encircling his waist. George dropped a kiss on her head before continuing his conversation. Damian's stomach was cramped with what he thought might be jealousy. He'd never believed in true love, hadn't been expose

convinced, wa

foot shorter than Goerge, Damian knew that he was sucking strength from her, that George was leaning in her. They were a unit, taking turns to lea

tall, took the wind, and never bent. They'd been planted too far apart and too much had happened between

with tight fingers. Maybe Claire's leaving, her breaking it off for good, was as s

then why did he fee

ed his eyebrows at the broken glass and, without words, handed Damian the bottle. Damian took a hefty sip before dropping

e's J

he knots in his neck. Damian didn't bother; his knots were now permanent residents. "She

ignoring his still-sticky hand. He glanced up, saw another jet, and f

d time weary. "You didn't cause Clair

" Damian responded,

sofa and dropping down. He immediately tucked a pillow u

was George, his best friend, and he trusted him implicitly. He also needed George'

ou what I do know, from what Claire has told

e too much and hit himself in debt with some unsavory characters. T

nowingly, ferried drugs,"

"Yep. He was busted and was jailed. Via Diego Manu

astonishment. "I've

d an eyebrow

say ruthless but

e country. The kid didn't learn and has raked up another huge gambling debt. A mafia-type o

w m

dnapped but that turned out to be BS. Claire's been informed that she needs to repay his loan,

from her when she's completed her year-long mandatory stint on the board of Gar

maybe she's shopping around for a better deal for the shares." The thought of Claire selling those shares to anyone else made

Alfred, a firm deadline for

he keep his head down, even stay out of sight. Then why

ink?" George asked, aft

pulled his cell out of his pocket and his pocket and hit the speed dial number that would connect him to Claire. It didn't mean an