The Velvet Trap

d until

onest. There's no pretending when everything's quiet, when the worl

at on my table li

se some part of me still hoped there was nothing on it. That maybe

oesn't care abo

gged

He left a single folder marked "Construction Logs – Marula

per

contra

from company accoun

I saw the

anted to see him. But there was som

rd meeting. Someone who smil

ond

od ran

ce. He signed the payout auth

. So had I. Lawrence might've laid the foundation

ightened aro

. Almost like someone tried to delete it

a voi

rty-four

it

names. I already sent the transfer. Obinna's the fa

art s

gi

was

d me, sudden nausea rising. I gripped

. They al

ever in

neve

ight had been on me since the beginning. I wasn't sneaking through the

anym

ed the

er he believed me or not. Whether it sha

tle. Let the rage fold it

one's fal

their usual polite smiles and veiled tensions. He didn't rush. Never did. Instead, he s

he door when Desmond

Just suggestion. But it

, then steppe

ly expression. "You've been doing well.

dn't r

ly. "But you're...

e lingere

t does, you protect it. Guard it with everything you've got." He stepped

at quiet sting

of his suit. "But I've seen it before. That look in someone

danna's name. H

"Family is messy. Business, even messie

ing away. Jus

. "Don't wait too long to decide who's with you, Ken. Y

lm, polished, measured. Like

ight of it

or a while afte

reats. Not directly. That's not how he plays. He uses silk and silence a

ew b

as a w

orst part was h

was torn. And I ha

ss. The way she looked at me when she thought I wasn't watching. Like she was carrying som

I wanted t

wondering if Desmond

ng? Or was I

ai

ocked the door. Sat down hard and

as. Ibe blood. Legacy. Discipline. I'd

hese

I was hold

tried to hold still... so