you halt this facade

nager proclaims with

rope was the choice," he add

d stance, he looks at her.

ctiveness, care. A

ys dryly, not lo

?" he

gnore

res ahead with a

ed to this Desirée," his

udy

ath her. Of course, she's uneasy coming to terms with the

andall tells him, obviously

hrough the contract. You can get acquaint

bullshit."

teeth. "I am w

shake, his expre

st lau

medy nor am I your dream, Prince Char

othing to worry about," my

iving me a death glare.

, I lo

oice is tight. "You've

pport to your

g wearily, "Jackson

e, you think I wanted

You've made it. You are g

This is my job" he grunts, runnin

me nor the place. You w

this or stand by

rning pink like it's

trust me,"

es. His body language is fil

tays

my head, meeting his gl

ven a death sentence. Thi

It's not about him though. She's the one in the middl

ying to

he says in a low

pable. Desirée's shoulders ten

Disagreement with your m

" Patra comments, brows f

Desirée

est of the group lets out a

this agreement, making i

thrives off cancel culture. I've seen the headlines. The vultures, circling, pou

éethem

thedeath

ashtags. Accusi

ut power. About control. If I can rebuild her, I can

nd. Get her attention. Her respect. I won'

sirée says calmly, w

x, Oscar," she says sof

Randall respective

ue to

as I stand and exte

moments, like a silent warn

********

ent luxury of the restaura

r to the private ta

nd pull ou

of her scent

a and

ng as she takes off h

air, the soft waves falling f

l on her brown olive skin.

eet mine -

guise you hav

oked the entire place?" She asks

rivacy, Desi. No int

stefully. "You'r

ll taking in the place w

en told"

eries coolly, betrayed b

n wanting to try it

ed. You're happy, we're productive.

her eyes

my hom

ook good. She's mo

ictorian decor, glowing l

yellow, and pink hues she has on accentuates her shade

atches my wandering eyes, "Get a

fle a

exclaimed,

waiter to tak

at, "Mr. Deveraux,

taunch expression on her face.

e upfront, lettin

t?" she

on." I drawl

loom. I want to build you ba

I understand the balance b

nother thing how you're perceiv

she could continue, my phone

've been

ards of glass spra

ar in a deafening c

mo

crouches instinctively. She

re she can search for her phone

"It's a mob, some people

g them off. It won't take

ding Desirée behind me, h

back. I place Desirée at my front a

d, chanting slurs and accus

front of me, her br

m," I warned as I grabbed s

ny hands as I c

n my