Till money do us apart

of the Metropolitan Hotel, Isabella Castillo could see the entire city sprawling beneath her like a sea of glitte

gne glasses clinking, and the low hum of polite, meaningless conversations filling the room. Bella smoothed her hand over the sleek black fabric of her dress, a Valentino piece s

-a position she'd fought tooth and nail for. But as she scanned the room, she could already feel the familiar disdain settling in. The p

too busy conquering the corporate

ner at her firm. He was charming in that disingenuous way most senior partners were-always looking fo

ss without meeting his gaze. She sipped, letting the cool bubbl

, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're no

what you think, Peter? I was under the impression

room, the two are one and the same. And

what Peter or anyone else might suspect. She was here for one man in particular-Damon Westwood. The reclusive billionaire was rarely se

needed t

said, dismissing him with a p

he space. Bella maneuvered through the crowd, offering nods of acknowledgment to those she recognized but making no effort to

she s

e'd expected, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin, emphasizing the broad expanse of his shoulders. His hair was d

s she approached, he turned, as if sensing her presence, and their eyes met. For a moment, th

th and deep, with the hint of a smile playin

ed, tilting her head slightly, mat

s even more striking up close-sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes that seemed to se

being ruthless," Bella shot bac

tell me, what brings you to this gala tonight? Surely a lawyer of your cal

mpagne," she said lightly, takin

licking back up to meet her eyes. The tension between them was palpable, a c

id, lowering her glass.

ued. "Is that so? And what does the for

've heard rumors about a deal you're brokering. A

eyes-something dark and calculating. He leaned in slightly, his v

ng a dangerou

inching. "I've never been

his options. Then he smiled, a slow, predatory sm

. "Consider me intrigued. Let's

ind her ear, his touch lingering just a second too long. Then, with a final glanc

ll clutched in her hand. This was going to be more complic

s retreating figure, she

as al