The clock had ticked past three a.m. when Peter finally rolled away. They were both sprawled on the bed, the sheets damp with more than jist sweat, their heavy breaths the only sound in the quiet room.Melissa pulled the sheets over her chest, her hair sprawled all over as she slowly turned. "Do you want to talk now?"Peter sat up and grabbed his hip flask, but he did not leave the room. Progress."You let me down when you knew you were the only one I was counting on. I am still not sure I can fully trust you."Melissa sat up too, grabbing the hip flask from him. The alcohol splashed over the bed but neither of them cared."You trust me enough to be inside me but not enough to strike a deal with me?"Peter finally met her eyes. "Fine. Tell me about this deal you keep yapping about. I will see if it is good enough for me to believe in someone who was shameless about the status of her company once."Melissa thought of a retort, but bit it down. She needed him. If he refused, she knew

For the first time in a very long time, Coulter was truly surprised. His lips parted, his brows furrowing as the name slowly registered in his mind.Madam Gabriella. Melissa's mother. How had she known about Amelia's mother? How did she even know anything at all?Coulter bit down on his lips as his mind struggled to reconcile the image of the dumb, shallow, money obsessed woman who caused her daughter more stress than snything else at all, with this woman who somehow knew the sort of information that people were trying to hide behind firmly closed doors."Madam Gabriella?" He finally asked, his voice lower than he intended. "Melissa's mother?""I... I don't know," the private investigator continued. "But she was sure of her information, and her name was the only thing she gave me."Coulter's eyes thinned as the information sank. He opened his mouth to say something when the private elevator opened with a chime.He immediately cut the call and turned, his eyes wide, but his lips immedi

Coulter got out of the car and held the door open with one hand, then wrapped his other hand around her hand to help her get out of the car.The cabin crew of the private jet waited by the already open door, with the climbing ladder set to the floor."You are welcome, Sir, and Madam. We hope this flight will be a pleasurable experience. Please let us escort you to your seats. Are there any suitcases you might need help with?"Amelia smiled at the politeness, her eyes softening. Coulter gestured towards the car as the driver slowly brought out the things they had packed for the trip.One flight attendant escorted them inside, which was obviously a simple gesture instead of out of genuine need.Coulter took the farthest seat from the door, and Amelis sat next to him. Her eyes took in the luxury interior of the private jet. It was all warm tones and minimalistic but expensive taste."Its beautiful," she said, turning to Coulter as their things were brought in."You like it?" He said, his

Paris looked beautiful on Amelia, and it hadn't even been a full hour yet.Coulter led the way to the secret garden, filled with exotic rare greenery, a table to sit, and the view of the swimming pool behind."Dinner?" Coulter asked, pushing her seat open, his hand lingering on her lower back."I would love that," Amelia said, but she rested her hand on Coulter's hand, stopping him from pulling the chair any further. "I want to see everything."He simply nodded. "I will call the kitchen staff. Is there anything you have in mind?""Just something simple. I will lean towards sweet for dinner.""Sweet. Sure."She turned and slowly walked deeper into the garden. It looked like a forgotten palace of glass where all the hidden creatures of the world had found enough solace to come and rest. It was beautiful, breathtaking.Amelia ran her hands on the rare black roses, her chest heaving slightly. She remembered their very first date that now felt like ages ago. They have known each other for

A single security guard walked up to the car as Melissa brought it to a stop right in front of the large fountain.He took one look at Nelissa and nodded, then turned to Peter. Peter said nothing, simply clutching the bag and his still lit cigarette."He is with you?" The security asked, his eyes darting between them."Yes. She knows I will be coming with him." The guard nodded and simply took the cigarette away from Peter. He dropped it to the floor unceremoniously, then crushed it under his heavy boots."You can go on now."Peter's eyes thinned before he broke into a disbelieving laugh, then turned and walked away, ahead of even Melissa. Melissa gave the security man a polite nod and followed behind him, her hands slightly clenched with worry.The mansion opened up to the grand foyer first and then to the sitting room. The massive portrait of the tattooed man was still in place, and for some reason, looking at it brought a shiver down Melissa's spine."You are here," Sarah said su