He Bought Her Truth

Damien Vale's empire- Until her painting stopped

llery room gazing at Rowan Hart's "Breath After Burn," something raw and knotted and

lingly re

s six w

ght as he watched her move across the Vale Tower ballroom: she didn't fit h

entered her orbit and g

es you something," he had s

react. "Mayb

also the clarity in her voice. The manner she

ries' wives flirting their way toward secrets. Rowan Hart, though, seemed as thou

Even if it would ov

have a proposal. And I be

k lingered behind the wear

though, read your work. I hav

"So what is this? A favo

voice reduced. "This is an o

her arms.

le and razor sharp.

into the lift. Rowan tightened her a

t of recruiting for rich-man

," Damien said dryly;

d the cityscape pouring through the evening characterized their entry into a

stoppe

she repeated, somew

"I told you; it

ively, "Then say wh

her now. "I need a companion.

nked. "Co

erger. Media investigation is rising. Investors want evidence

joyless. "So you'd wan

g artist. I am a corporate machine. It will sell. It will even out. And in e

looked

she began to

not s

he handle. "Do you realize

spun. "Then

And because we're bot

hung lik

eep with yo

eyebrow. "I don

at: "You'r

les gripped the stra

need your

d a miracle. And I need som

observed it, the instant he

last, "I n

e twelve

im a glare. "God forbid the b

w her

she would return for

y. She stood in the center of the little living room,

ve h

she would be

y died if

t her hands. Coar

checked h

he landlord is coming to

sat

ed

k looking out over the city the next

stairs," and then question

rned. Sen

door. Hair wind-tangled, fire back in h

y," then let's

ing that draws Rowan's face off of confidence: a printed dossier with her