lia's

as arranged faste

eady sent me a location, a time, and

she said over the phone as I stood in front of

ew," I muttered, adjusting the sleeves

He's old money. Very detail-oriented. H

le point of this job?"

e between faking and performing. Go

ght makeup, black pencil skirt, neutral lipstick. I looked... presentable. Like someo

heart p

to deceive another man. That thought alone should

doing this

g this because

rted coffee beans and money. I spotted him immediately. He sat at the corner table, wearing

like someone who knew

-and-pepper beard, and eyes that gave away nothing. He didn't smile when I

olding my ha

up from his tablet. His voice was calm and poli

you value ti

at me. "She also said you're smart,

I didn't know heartbreak

changes people. It sharpens them. Breaks the i

idn't r

briefcase and slid a f

d," he i

open

on. Candid. Taken from a distance, bu

up with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. No tie. He wasn't posing - just standing

e set of his mouth, something calculating in the way he stood - sho

estor. Controls six subsidiaries and majority shares in two international

the image. "He l

And that's t

up. "What d

His influence is growing faster than expected, an

rtain p

answer. Instea

mes. Just the task. You're to study hi

nd the

ak him," he

back at the

Intellectually.

"Why

ou know how to disappear in plain sight. You've learned how to survive

d. "I'm not a

he said without blinking. "Des

photo again. "You want me

lose enough that he lets his guard down. Wha

t do I get o

"Enough money to build a new l

Someone laughed at the far end. A spoon clinked against a ceramic cup. No

on't let anyone in easily. But he's still human. Every

folder down. "

by one of his company's board members. You'll be introduced as a consultant in fundraisi

he doesn't

th quiet certainty. "He doesn't i

I laid the photo on the tab

tranger. He had no i

neithe

at that picture, the more I

ter. He didn't look broken eit

und. Like someone who spent too long le

ndersto

ecame

was the one wh

didn't just change

fore the event,

pick out the perfect dress - sleek, black, elegant but not flashy.

cognized myself

on a mission," Ivy said as

an about to lie to a b

ng," she said

e venue, my hands clenched tig

g. A red carpet lined the front entrance. Cameras flashed

ook a breath, and wa

Champagne glasses. Conversations in hushed, expensive

en I s

room. Standing

ression unreadable. His eyes swept the

t for a

r eyes

heart s

red a heartbeat lo

he look

didn'

he not

that was