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"Nikki, is Damien Stark off the bachelor block?"

"Damien! Hoill the talk of a possible Gers in the European Union?"

MyAn indictment? I force myself not to look at Damien, and instead look forward, my face a mask of disinterest There is no way--no way in hell--that I a these vultures see that I haven’t a clue what they’re talking about Is Stark International in soal snafu? Is that what he ?

"Nikki! Mr Stark! Gerether into a hideous cacophony "Richter! Dedication! Damien! Damien! Da because the limo pulls to a sets out

"No," Daets back in behind the wheel, Daer door, his body shielding hts and questions

I’m just about to slide into the car when Damien pulls his hand from mine, then turns and faces the crowd A hush falls Considering Da to the press, I think the paparazzi are at least as shocked as I a the dedication ceremony for the Richter Tennis Center," Da business s "While I fully support the construction and operation of such a center, I cannot in good conscience support its dedication honoring a man I don’t respect As for your other questions, neither Ms Fairchild nor I have any coled voices, each louder than the next, none discernible They are shouting follow-up questions, shouting for Da for nores the frozen, slightly bentthe limo

And then, another voice rises above the noise, this time frolance at Dahten, then peer over the roof of the limo The reporters have shifted the aihts are focused on an olderhis way across Flower Street

"Get into the car," Damien snaps at me

"We need to talk," the es, his voice entle

I comply, but I peer out the farat the man, and then once more up at Daht, his expression hard "My father"

11

Das the door closed "Go," he says to Edward, who nods and starts to pull slowly out into the street Reporters scra pictures of the li on the sideand yelling for Darab Damien’s hand, then look left at the old man’s face "Daoing to eat hiently "You need to find out why he’s here"

Da even, and I wish that I knehat he was thinking

Finally, he squeezes my hand and nods "Stop," he tells Edward "Unlock the doors And as soon as he’s in, run those goddamned piranhas over if you have to"