The Cold Billionaire And The Broken Doll

pretending

the world move

Safer at least

real. Below, the city pulsed like a living thing loud, relentless, unforgiving. She recognized it. She belong

ken in too many ways to count, stitched

ing doors whispered

Javier's voice said, deep and unr

ark shirt, sleeves rolled again, no tie. The man wore his power li

rinks in person?" she as

ghtly. "Only when th

startled. "You

dea," he said, offering the mug. "B

pted the coffee, more to anch

e like it's perso

too many times. I'm not in the business of rescuing anyone,

ce him fully now

"You're the fire. I'm ju

ers flexed as he spoke as if he, too, was barely holding himself toget

terri

e," she said su

ent you step outside that door, Damon will know. He

throat tight. "Th

ust hovering in her space. "You say that

f what you'll

l. It was quiet. Sad, almost. "Go

retched be

to his pocket and

said, offering it to her. "You can

illusion of freedom wrap

dn't t

spered, "He made

st stood there like a monument immovable

e. I made choices. I survived. I lied. I helped Damon trap people. I wore a dress. I

ice cr

down har

asking

er said calmly. "Only we

d at him. "An

ers. Steady. C

And no one tou

s too

isguised as a deal with the devil. Jessica backed away,

gret this,

inside. "I don't regret mu

that

tailored, labeled, untouched. A selection of armor wrapped in fabric. Javier hadn't asked

k dress. No heels. Just

ething jazzy, almost lazy. Javier sat on the couch, revie

gaze skating ove

ok diff

her chin. "I

ha

d. "Where ar

re n

d it across the table towa

t her. A man in a cheap su

o held her

aces. Deals. Codes. Anything Damon ever made

sit. She star

en that face

" she ask

," Javier said. "And I don't just w

closed h

her silent, obedient, e

sed to be, the one

s waki

s hungry f