aining a distance from him. He tried to push her away, but her drug-numbed body r

nd firm: "Mr. Blackwood, this is Cassandra Laurent

fference to ruthlessness. He sized her up,

ir grand plan? To fake suicide to get my attention?" H

acht tonight. The Laurent family had arranged another boat at the dock. But sh

yed. He had agreed to the marriage purely out of pragmatic considerations-to appease the family board and solidify business alliances. The

timid. Extremely poor social skills. Completely unremarkable. This d

ne leaving no room for argument. "Cancel the engagement. Send he

He reached for his phone,

drugs in Cassini. Back to Melissa. Back to that glitter

r last shred of control vanished. She sensed Damian was abo

f his shirt was like a beacon in a scorching ocean. She choked back sobs, half-whimp

th stunned. This was not the reaction of a cunning manipulator,

etite frame. He looked down at the top of her head and saw her wet, black hair clinging to her

f strength. She poured all the stage skills she had honed throughout her life int

pping his coat, trying to pull him closer and absorb his coolness. One of her hands hooked

ears and had never seen anyone touch him so brazenly, let

is eyes. He grabbed her chin, his fingers digging deep into her skin, f

u know what y

rugs, his touch was merely another solace to ease the burning sensation. She obediently leaned closer, her body instinctively craving more. Her

it wasn't just anger, but something... something that had flashed

beautiful yet bewildered, as if pleading for something, yet unable to articulate it. She

ould have handed her over to security

did

supported her knees with one arm, and reached behind he

ing within him. He didn't say another word to Owen, turning and striding i