expensive lilies-a smell that made Serafina's stomach turn. It was the favorite flower of the woman who h

e-offered a steady arm. "You don't have to do this tonight, Sera," he whispered, his eyes scanning

cold diamonds at her throat. "No, Julian. I want to see the light leave his

walk; she glided. She was no longer the girl who hid in the corners of Sinclair's par

per, and tired-though he hid it well behind a mask of billionaire arrogance. Lydia was draped over h

gid. It was as if his very blood recognized her before his eye

deafening. The orchestra seeme

y locking onto her face. His jaw tightened so hard Serafina thought she heard it crack. His eyes-those Sinclair-blu

that barely left his lips, but in the silen

der her layers of expensive makeup. "That's... that's

cotch-and for a split second, her heart betrayed her with a painful thud. But then she remembered the check. She

turned to

aged bourbon. "You look surprised. Did you think I'd sp

er cheek, to see if she was a ghost. "Sera... where have you been? What is th

tiny vibration of his suit jacket that no one else could see. "I've been in hel

cklace is lovely. It's a shame Sinclair Industries is in such debt; I'm afraid I'l

t. "Dominic! Do something! Tell h

na, burning with a frantic, desperate curiosity. "You're the CEO

king a slow, deliberate sip. She looked him up and down-the

surrounding board members to hear. "You told me once that yo

marble like a warning. Dominic made a move to follow her, bu

n said, his voice cold. "Save your breath. You'r

rst blow had been dealt. But as she caught her reflection in the gilded mirrors of the ballro

just started. It