h a dull, resonant thud. The sound ripped through the cathed

her gaze instantly locking

was leaning against Julian, her head nestled intimately near his shoulder

f she'd been burned. She scrambled to sit up straight, smoothin

owever, showed n

olor of a stormy sea-narrowed as he stared at Arden. His displ

he reached back and

the three of them inside, away from th

the hardwood floor as she advanced toward them. Each step

igned innocence. "We were just discussing the jewelry pairings for the ex

t even flicker in

er entire focus was a laser beam

e guest list down on its polished surface. The

"On what authority do you override my project team and

even glance

"On the authority that my name is on the front of this building. A

gh escaped A

isy was br

ring your mistress into your office,

s' hung in the ai

up, shimmering on her lower lashes, threatening to fall

at Julian, her expression a perfe

s all i

e sound echoed like a gunshot. He surge

u will watch your tone w

fused to

furious gaze without flinching.

r. This is about our marriage, a

cked up her designer handbag, her voice trembling.

long moment, his eyes locked on Arden's de

voice flat. "We'll

She recovered instantly, her expression melting back into wounded grace. Without another word, she walked past

ehind was heavier than

s predatory, backing her up until her hips hit the sharp edge of the credenza behin

his voice a venomo

ion, Arden. Don't forget how you got

t, aimed with perfect precisi

umbled. The color drained from her face, leaving it

the wave of nausea and despair. She placed

ard, and he stumbled back a step, cre

her voice, it was shaki

punished for something I didn't do. And you

nreadable, the storm in his eyes flick

wait for

oor. Her movements were stiff, mec

e stopped witho

he said, her voice so low it was almost a whisper. "But you'r

en the door a

icked shut

The assistants were still there. Ever

els were steady, powerful-like

untdown to a

down to