nd-politics, luxury business deals, high-society circles-but i stayed out of it. The less i knew, the safer i felt. That changed one Thursday evening. Daniel was hosting a private dinner meeting

his expression unreadable. I didn't like the idea of stepping outside for a private talk with a man i barely knew-especially one with a reputation like his-but something in the tone of the note suggested refusing wasn't an option. Outside, the night was cold, the street quiet except for the distant hum of traffic. Marco stood by a sleek black car, hands in his pockets. "You were at the Lennox Hotel last week," he said without preamble. Her chest tightened. "I was told it was a serving job. I left when I realized what it was." He studied her for a long moment. "Good. I don't deal with women who sell themselves. It's messy." The comment made her bristle. "Messy? You don't even know me." "I know enough," he replied evenly. "I watch the people who work for my friends. Daniel trusts you. That means you'll be seen. Which means you need to watch where you put yourself." Her jaw tightened. "I don't take orders from you." A faint smirk tugged at his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You will if you want to keep working for him." The arrogance in his tone made my blood boil. He wasn't threatening me outright, but it was clear he thought his word carried the weight of law. And maybe, in his world, it did. "I've survived worse than men like you," i said quietly, meeting his gaze without flinching. Something flickered in his eyes-amusement, maybe respect-but it was gone before I could place it. "We'll see." He stepped closer, close enough that i caught the faint scent of expensive cologne. "Stay away from situations that could be... mi