The Kingmaker: A Business Contract Marriage.

astes like noth

t hold it and watch the bubbles die while I scan the room. The cry

bergine - dark purple - and cuts sharp angles across my shoulders. There's the su

from Tyler, and I still f

lptures and paintings, nodding like they get it. I spot three tech CEOs I've worked with, two state senators

thing from Vivienne about

g?" asks a liltin

effort – designer dress draped perfectly over her tall frame, gray locs swept into an

small nod. With Imara, respec

ving mine. "The Kingmaker never merely observ

't waste words on small talk. "I w

oung man asking about you." Her eyes lock on mine. "Nasir Levi

s close to me. Haven't even allowed myself to even think it. My mind fla

down. Lock them

oint lead," I say coolly. "Leviné

esting that he asked specifically about your methods.

ampagne flute. The stem feels fr

mara leans closer. "Now..." She nods toward a corner where people are clustered. "Jeremiah Vale. The

nd him. Dark hair with silver at his temples. His la

the man who just bought the patents to a

ens. "How do y

mara smiles slightly. "Vale collects rare things – art, me

ot in my stomach. Across the room, Vale looks up and catche

ging what I know about him, points of leverage I might u

You come to me. Not

ctural gold jewelry speak of money and taste that doesn't need to announce itself. "Jeremiah c

, striking features, shrewd eye

single dramatic ring. "I used to curate his collect

" Her handshake i

oman who transforms executives into visionaries through carefu

rategic consulting a

te narratives that shape perception." She gestures toward Vale with her champagne glass.

. "And how would you

vedita studies my face with uncomfortable precision. "Which is curi

happens by chance in these circles. "I

d advise caution. He collects influential women with particular zeal." Nive

ing about her seems familiar - maybe her jawline, o

us social climber with mysterious funding sources. R

r. Kairotha's maiden name. TheThe investor beh

say abruptly. "

ext from Vivienne: *Koda's doctor called. New treatment possibi

the normally. Everything I've b

l comin

creen. The hairs on my nec

ng out a fresh glass of champagne. "I bel

n of big game hunters – a man admiring poten

me. "Mr. Vale. I wondered i

engaging," he says. "A h

y habits. "What mutual int

says it like he's talking about the

I set the glass down on the balcony le

eviné family." Vale's eyes never leave mine. "Yet here we

livious to the game unfolding in its midst. Somewhere in that sprawl of light and

il

are you propos

icial arrangement. My medical paten

ther text from Vivienne: *Koda's f

n't read it from his position. "Time-sensitive situations re

through options, contingencies, escape route

tomorrow? My offic

ing to establish some c

t pocket – heavy stock, minimalist design, just a name

ta from near the bar, Velora Kincaid from across the

a nervous habit I'd nearly forgotten. I've b

s. They keep threats ou

e time, then turn back toward the