A ring for a lie

the mirror and almost didn't r

e now was deep emerald satin, cut low at the back and fitted perfectly to her curves. Her hair was swept

ed... ex

sn't the st

he light as if mocking her. A diamond so delicate

came at

Julian's voic

d hard. "As

Julian looked up from

g in his eyes flickered. His usual icy detachment cracked j

he asked, fidgeting

d slowly. "I

red her

liding her hand into t

is over with,

, but his grip tight

ve rooftop venue in the city. Just getting past the lobby required name

lready glittering with camera flashes. Photogr

n! Ove

at you

she we

before Julian leaned down,

And stay

en turned her face

autiful, controlled, and convincingly intimate. Ava hated how natural it fel

stal centerpieces. Waiters floated by with champagne flutes

f polished faces, nodding at C

n cooed as she approached. "And

the woman gave her a

Blackwell. J

t you," Ava

" Evelyn said with a cool smile. "But

blin

r class at NYU and speaks three languages, Evelyn. Would

inked, th

ared a

r. In public. Wi

smile. "I'll see you

Ava leaned closer.

t her. "She was test

ot a p

almost softly

polite conversations Ava barely followed, she found her

d beneath them,

and let the cool b

ust a pretty

r wasn't Julian's. It wa

l tuxedo, his dark blond hair slicke

sor

said with a lazy smile. "Yo

use

n't marry. He acquires. And you? You're c

always harass married women a

You're quick.

ike this even

ut through the a

ightly as he turned. "Ju

in a possessive grip that sent a

he said

I was just introducing myself to your wif

aw clenche

iend turned business rival. Ava had seen his name on a few tense email

amian said, nodding to Ava w

t speak for

hat?" Ava f

own at her.

hered

ay away from him. Don't tal

d a brow.

didn't change

in a contrac

test me

a word to him.

low. "I'm serious. He's dangerous

a few words

between her shoulder blades, the contac

amian plays," he said. "But you will. An

breath

t wasn't just control anymore. It was

eant

oast. But they stayed still, the city buzzing

ke. "Are you al

e wh

d. Cold. C

k. "It's the only

nly way yo

ched. "It's w

his eyes, the tightness in his jaw. And

touch it. Bu

on, husband. Let's go pre

ed his a

she didn'