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I didn’t hide my smile. “You were spot on.”

“So?”

“So?” I repeated.

“Job? Hobbies?”

Right. Back to the script.

“Unfortunately for my dad, I don’t have a business mind and have no interest in following his footsteps, at least not in that regard. We have a common passion, though, philanthropy.”

“So you like to go to charity galas?” It was the first time I felt like I was losing him. He wasn’t interested in my heiress status, at least he didn’t seem to be. He wanted something, someone, deeper.

“Those are a natural byproduct of the work, yes, but they’re hardly my favorite part.”

“Oh?” His interest returned.

“I’m more hands-on.”

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes sparkled again. “Meaning?”

“I prefer to do the work, rather than just dressing up and handing over a check.”

His brows rose. “Really?”

I rolled my lips between my teeth. This wasn’t a lie. I did quite a bit of volunteering through the Pack, but I’d have to alter the details. “My focus is on women and children. I’ve helped build shelters and orphanages and stayed to make sure they got up and running smoothly.”

He tilted his chin up. “You’ve used power tools?”

A laugh burst out of me. His question was just so unexpected. “I know my way around a toolbox.”

“So you can pull off a sexy gown and use a drill to save the children. Is there anything you can’t do?”

Not wanting to reveal too much, I looked away. I could kill him in no less than thirty ways with items on the table. I could shift into a wolf. Despite the closed doors and windows, I could hear people walking around his house, but I could move faster than his eyes could follow.

I couldn’t tell him any of that.

“Sing, bake, drive stick––”

His quiet laughter cuts me off. “Well damn, I guess you aren’t as perfect as I thought.”

His eyes held mine, sparkling with humor.

I forced a smile and looked at my lap. This didn’t feel like a regular mission. When was the last time I enjoyed a conversion with a target? Or blushed? Or cared?

His lack of charm was no longer a flaw. It made him enduring. Real.

I needed to reinforce my walls. I couldn’t forget why I was here.

Slipping up was all too easy.

Dammit, Emilia! A good-looking guy gives you a few compliments, and you crumble?

No. I’m a fucking assassin. I eat men like him for breakfast.

I needed to get out of here. I’d hooked him. Now it was time to run and leave him wanting more. Yes. All that bullshit.

“I should probably get back.” I put my hands on the armrests to stand.