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"Bastard"

"Yes"

I stay quiet, wondering if he will say more But he reht, and I know that this is only one s between us

"I thought so," I say after aabout your dad"

"What do youyou I realized in the limo that he didn’t"

For a moment, there is only silence When Damien speaks, his words are ice cold "He knew"

I roll over, shocked into motion "What? But … but why on earth would he expect you to be at the tennis center dedication if he knohat that vile man did to you?"

"I don’t know," Damien says He hesitates, his face drawn into hard lines

"No," he alomerate based out of Germany Powerful company, powerful people on the board"

"I don’t understand Is your father involved with the conglomerate?"

"No And my father couldn’t care less whether I endorse a tennis center or a pet store It’s all about trading favors I lend my name to the tennis center, and s in Gerht Charles agrees withthat stateh I res on, the more billable hours he earns"

He smiles without humor "To be honest, I should have keptrashly, and it was rash to make that statement"

"Why did you?"

"Because it’s the truth Because that center shouldn’t be na that I ad"

"Maybe But so has unpleasant consequences"

"It’s that bad?" Worry snakes through me "One of your companies is in that much trouble?"

Damien hesitates "It has the potential to be very bad," he finally says "But I don’t think it will get that far I still have a few strings left to pull"

I nod, somewhat appeased If Damien isn’t worried, I won’t be, either

"Coerly I slide into his ar wisps of worry All I want is Damien, and I drift off to sleep in the comfort of his arms