, sealing them in a world of silence and black leather. The car smelled like him-clean, cold, and expen

told Mark, hi

ut the window, watching the city lights blur past. She cou

asked again, his tone a l

hout turning. "Away from my f

t. "Your father called me. He

g," she corrected him bitterly. "To

have a public mel

turned to face him, her eyes flashing. "What's it to you, anyway? Yo

't," he said, but his voice lacked its usual conviction. "I just

ances? That's rich, coming from you." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a wh

the son of your father'

u with him at the hotel. I saw the pic

rning to look out his own windo

debt involves clandestine meetings an

ment. Chloe felt a familiar ache in her chest. Even now, after everything, a

talk about it,"

." She crossed her arms over her chest, creating a physical barrier bet

ted like ash

rest of the ride was silent. When they pulled up to the massive

e away, but he followed he

but didn't

id. "For the launch of the new Sterlin

can parade me around as your little proj

oring her jab. "It would be a good opportun

now. A part of her wanted to scream, to tell him to go to hell. But another,

he said.

up the long driveway, feeling his

s. It was a stunning, backless gown of deep crimson silk. It was a power move, a reminder tha

orlds. She spotted Ethan immediately, standing in the center of a circle of powerful men, looking

pale and fragile in a perfectly tailored suit. He was talking to a group o

m saw her. He excused himself from his co

ice as soft as ever. "Yo

Chloe said, her voice

ay, I'm sorry if my moving in has made things uncomf

t even begin to c

nued, his eyes wide and sincere. "Fo

le to her heart. "Ethan doesn't worry about

yes before it was gone, replaced by his usual mask of fragility. "You mis

oe said, turning to walk

arm. "Please, Chloe. Just give him a c

arm away as if she'd been burned. "Don't touch m

nd disgust. She knew, with absolute certainty, that everythin