The billionaire's secret guardian

nted to keep buried. But now, as she stood face-to-face with Alexander Cross in the cold rain

had changed everything. Alexander wasn't the villain she had built him up to be. He was something else-something more

d her to burn Vau

fact that she had been wrong about him, or the

s, leveling him wit

blue eyes studied her, as if calculating how muc

. "That doesn't

't expect to be working with me. If I send my own people after him, he'll see it coming. But you?" He ti

think Vaughn is the mastermind behind all of this, and instead o

a smile. "You make it sound like I'm asking you

enched. Damn him

hind the very thing she had been investigating. Exposing him was no

xander Cross? That was

u," she warned. "And

ming even in the open space. "I don't need a wea

man like Alexander Cross trusted her should have meant nothing. And yet

aside. "And what happe

yes. "Then I'll make sure he ne

e that told her Alexander wasn't just

ut I meant what I said before. I work alone

witched. "

er eyes. "That

owing orders. And you certainly don't like powerful men telling you what to do." His gaze sharp

y ba

he flicker of something dangerous in

new-she could feel it-that he w

Se

piece of evidence pointed back to Vaughn-his offshore accounts, his connections to shell companies used

ning. It w

e need

ng his tracks. If she wanted to take him down, she needed something undeniable-somethin

only one way

to get

into t

a sea of designer suits and glittering gowns. Vaughn

ght her reflection in one of the towering mirrors. She hated these events, hated the way wealth and c

ity, one of the many skills she had learned as an investigative

e room. Vaughn was near the back, speaking to a group of men she recogn

isted. Monster

not to draw attention, lis

"The new shipments are being arranged as we speak. By next qu

ound her glass. Shipments.

r. If she could get one piece of solid proof-just o

ensing her, V

breath as his g

face, and he lifted his glass

h

recogni

precautions-her hair, her makeup, even the dress s

n his eyes told he

ty seat beside him. "Join me," he said, loud

ore stepping forward, sliding into the seat with

ce laced with amusement. "O

d turned

or being

lowering his voice. "

ed a smirk.

"Yes. And you should kn

voice dropping t

already

s stomac

react, the lights flickered