as cruel i

ks. By morning, steel and glas

f confidence nailed perfectly to his face. Inside, his pulse still hammered f

k seat, letting the tinted glass fall between him and th

efore the engine s

ve us enough time to talk properly. I'd like to

yn Sloane-Cross wasn't just curious anymore.

lowly, del

Where

came almos

e Glass Ho

bove the river, its walls made of glass so diners could see the city beneath them like an

phone away. His reflection in th

-

oundatio

's car melted into traffic. His jaw was locked, his h

ice floated behind him, softer tha

him," Lucian

past him to set the files down, her perfume trai

mured. His eyes stayed on the city

to dismiss tension. "That's a strange comp

d her in place. "Not when the familia

she lifted her chin. "Well, maybe you should a

when she left the office

Vale. Where he's from, who he's tied to, ev

-

lass

crystal shimmered with light, and white tablecloths billowed like sails in a summer wind. On

e window. The city stretched out below - bridges, towers, endless rivers of people movi

man who owned his place here. Inside, every nerve was sharp, his chest

ss the glass, and t

d skirt. No gala shine this time - just elegance that whispered of restra

e greeted, off

shed the back of her hand in the old-fashioned way, deliberately old-world

vering before retreating. Evelyn lifted

artners,"

ringing low between them. "To investm

speak in riddles, Mr. Vale. I can't tell

oth as silk. "And gamblers of

him, openly curious

sed," Adrian said quietly. His eyes flicked to her bare r

for him to notice. She set the glass dow

murmured, recovering her po

ings interesting

een them burned with something unspoken - curi

ould answer, a n

't it

to turn to know. Lucian Cross stood behin

d. "Lucian-I thought yo

ght I'd join my wife for lunch." He slid into the chair beside

ng back, casual as sin. "Of

ous under the weight of t

, voice calm and d

middle, tried to keep the conversation light, b

er softened. Every word, every sip of wine was

unaware of the battle tightening around her. Ad

h to challenge, "shall we disc

his eyes narrowing. The muscle

ing deliberately to Evelyn, "shall we

Evelyn's smile faltered,

oice calm but deadly quiet. "Careful, Mr. Vale

ld and deliberate. "Oh, Mr. Cross..