Faithfully Yours

th caught i

ne

t

rooftop-her red lips curved in a knowing smile, her pal

n instincti

ed to be gone,

ilent on the slate tiles. "I'm n

er her shoulder, half-expecting Damian to appe

falter. "Then I met myself aga

the cold iron of the railing

enom. More... pain. "You're the new favorite. I

"He says you were obsessed. That yo

"You should ask why I ended up in that hospital

htened. "You tri

e. "No, darling. I tried to le

now what to b

rnings from Lucas. Now Vanessa-standing in front

him, aren't you?" V

nod

want a partner, Emma. He wants a reflection. Someone soft enough t

avered. "Why c

ling for you. And that's when he becomes da

respond, voices

d snapped tow

said quickly, eyes flas

the dark like a shadow

s later, his tie loosen

was low, almost affectionat

es rising in her thro

at the skyline. "Beautiful, isn't

control,

r waist. "You looke

u," she s

m, brushing her cheek with the back

on came to

hesi

ice caught. "

tly. But the storm behind

s a promise. I don't lie. I don't cheat.

traced her

," he w

osed he

you

he whole way, his thumb brushing lazy circles agains

o raise his voic

vanity lights buzzing softly overhead. She stared at he

s. Diamon

's mar

the mirror, running her

f herself had she

y more woul

his assistant, greeted her in

night. Black-tie. Your

ked. "Ano

ot just a date anymore.

e how that soun

u're how he tells the world he's untouc

r sharply. "Why a

I've seen girls like you come and go. An

keeps... br

nly, media-banned. The world of suits, whispers, and priceless paintings. Emm

mind was

d Vanes

h was sti

champagne, a m

s. Striking

n't it?"

pped to the man,

or her hand. "Investment sector. And you must

espond before Damian step

ailable for c

brow. "Relax, Wolfe

e," Damian said, his t

. The more you cage them, t

more people touch what's min

amian's stare for a beat, then g

ure,"

nished int

Damian didn't spe

broke the silence. "T

esting bo

ntroducin

stand the circles we move in. That man wanted to see how

. "You keep saying t

e you are. My thing.

, furious tears

d I wanted ou

pression di

t," he sa

scared

as r

he went back

folder w

hing else

. Thicker.

picture

gas

before she e

lking

ng on par

iting

g-in her ow

s of

ed. Logged

them with shaking

d in the stack

ct: E

cal profiling, financial vu

susceptibility.

eath s

plann

dn't just

hunte

he file and s

room

foots

iberate.

filled the ro

d when you

urning her eyes. "Wh

dn't

tudied you because I needed to know what wo

ion," she whispered

losing the space between

ay I love, Emma. Not when you

ce gently, but his wor

less than what you just saw

ce brok

brushed

ken girls do

fhan

ite envelope was slid

nly one

er, Emma. Y