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“That’s a business meeting. A sensitive one.”

“I’m aware.”

“You want to bring her into a room with one of our most unpredictable allies, while we’re negotiating territorial concessions that could affect our entire operation for the next decade?”

“I want to keep her where I can see her.” The words come out harder than I intend. “After last night, I’m not leaving her at the estate.”

Andrei studies me for a long moment. Then he nods. “I’ll have the car ready for seven.”

***

I send one of the women who works in the household to help Davina prepare for the evening. I don’t go myself, but I give specific instructions about what she’s to wear.

The dress arrives from a boutique in the city. It’s black and fitted, with a neckline that’s modest in the front but drops low in the back. The fabric clings without being vulgar. It’s the kind of dress that draws attention without demanding it.

I chose it deliberately. I want her on my arm tonight, visible, unmistakable. I want everyone in that room to know she’s with me.

What I don’t expect is how she looks when she comes downstairs.

The dress fits her perfectly, hugging curves. Her hair is down, falling over her shoulders in soft waves. Her makeup is subtle but effective.

She looks like she belongs in this world. Like she was made for it.

She also looks like she’d rather be anywhere else.

“Is this really necessary?” she asks when she reaches the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes.”

“You’re dragging me to a business dinner because I tried to escape?”

“I’m bringing you to a business dinner because I don’t trust you not to try again.”

Her jaw tightens, but she doesn’t argue. She’s learned something from last night; picking battles she can’t win is a waste of energy.

We walk to the car in silence. Andrei is already inside, along with two of my other men. Davina slides into the seat next to me, her body rigid, her eyes fixed on the window.

“Relax,” I say.

“Relax? I’m being paraded in front of your associates like some kind of—”

“Like what?”

She doesn’t finish the sentence. She just turns back to the window and refuses to look at me.

The restaurant is private, exclusive, the kind of place where the staff knows not to ask questions and the other patrons know not to look too closely. Avrorin has already secured a back room when we arrive, and the sound of his booming voice carries through the hallway before we even open the door.

Avrorin is a loud man. Loud and expensive and far too fond of his own stories. He’s also cunning, ruthless, and not to be trusted an inch further than I can throw him.

“Maxim!” He rises when we enter, his arms spread wide like we’re old friends. “It’s been too long.”

“Avrorin.” I shake his hand, then gesture to Davina. “This is Davina.”

Avrorin’s eyes move over her slowly, appreciatively, in a way that makes my jaw clench. “And who is this beautiful creature?”

“A colleague.”

“Just a colleague?” He grins, showing teeth that are slightly too white. “In that dress? She looks like far more than a colleague.”