s that were never spoken aloud but understood in every breath. Sebastian had gro

nd his desk with the kind of calm t

swer," Aaron said, fingers laced on

s from him, hands in

coming. His father neve

bred. Loyal. The kind of wife who unders

idn't move. Neithe

voice lowering int

ilies securing a legacy. Her father and I built thi

e never did. With Aaron, the room was

er poise, the way she could command a room without raising

lo

s equation. Not for men like hi

t?" Sebastian finally

didn't

ur future. With a woman

between th

an, as alwa

do what's

satisfied. The matter

nty in his chest told a different story. One he h

rain had st

th the Langfords. You and Seren

ised an eyeb

at f

idn't l

have been cooperative, and Charles agrees

mean s

met his eyes-c

It's necessary. She's pre

in his throat. It wouldn't matter. His fat

Sebasti

ivate setting. Jus

ve a short n

Fi

r a moment, then ret

ected. The world doesn't wait for feeli

lick of the door behind him the

ething had star

ngford's M

ght as he turned toward his daughter. Serena sat on the velvet settee, le

nner with Sebastian W

once, then lo

at conf

spoke. It's time yo

smoothing the cr

more than a perso

acy. Ours. Together, it sends the rig

d. She al

n naivety, she made

she said. "I

ed his glass

n't toa

city-minimal staff, no cameras, candlelig

berate. She wore deep burgundy-st

nutes late. No tie. Underst

ere

bast

iplomats. Sat like stra

d the wine. They

napkin gently across her lap, "I

ps curved-not

want to inher

u?" she

pau

this

udying him the way she mig

. You just have to be bette

hale from him. Not lau

ersonal, never reached too far. But it didn't collapse either.

stian rose to pu

again?" he ask

is gaze. "And next time, we won't pre

that something had begun-not love

ow, that