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“More than he’ll ever give me credit for,” she says, her voice soft but laced with steel.“I’m not some fragile thing to be tucked away, no matter how much he wants to believe that.”

I lean in closer, drawn in by the fire simmering beneath her carefully composed exterior.“He’s the fool for not seeing it,” I murmur, my voice low, testing the waters.

She gives a quiet, bitter laugh.“Ruairi doesn’t do foolish.He does calculated.”She glances at her phone, frowning slightly.“It’s late.I should be going.”

I stand as she does, not letting the moment slip away.“Do you have work tomorrow?”I ask, my voice casual.

She glances at me, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.“No.I’m off,” she replies.

“I’d like to spend the day together,” I say, my words laced with purpose.

She hesitates, her lips pressing together.“What about the wedding?”

“The wedding’s the day after tomorrow,” I say smoothly.“I came early to handle some business for Ruairi.Maybe you’d like to accompany me?”

She studies me for a long moment.“If I do, you have to promise Ruairi won’t find out.”

I smile, placing a hand over my chest.“You have my word.He’ll never know.”

“Alright,” she says softly.“Tomorrow, then.I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

As she turns to leave, I step in just enough to shift the air between us.My hand grazes her lower back as I lean in, brushing a kiss against her cheek.Not rushed.Not innocent.A promise wrapped in restraint.

Her breath catches, barely, and then she’s gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

The taste of her lingers on my lips, subtle but undeniable.

She’s not what I expected.

But one thing’s for sure, she will be mine.

Aoife

The penthouse isquiet as I step inside.The echo of my heels fills the expansive space as I make my way toward Eamon’s office.The door is slightly ajar, and I find him standing by the windows, his silhouette illuminated by the city lights below.

He turns around as I step into the doorway, his dark eyes locking onto mine.“Aoife,” he says, his voice low.

I set my clutch on the nearby table and meet his gaze, my posture calm even though the fire in his eyes is enough to make anyone else squirm.

“Tell me everything,” he says, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

“It went fine,” I say simply.

“Fine?”he asks, his posture tense, his fists clenched at his sides.His eyes are dark and burn with frustration.“Do you have any idea what you put me through tonight?”

“I told you I could handle it,” I say evenly.

“You went to his room,” he says, his voice low but no less biting.“Do you know how insane that is?I couldn’t watch you.I had no idea what he was doing, what he was planning.”

I sigh, crossing my arms as I meet his gaze.“You said you trusted me,” I remind him.“You said I was strong enough, smart enough to handle this.Was that a lie?”

“I do trust you,” he snaps, running a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to rein in his temper.“It’s him I don’t trust.”

“And you think I don’t know that?”I counter, my voice rising slightly.“You think I walked into this blind?I knew exactly what I was doing.”

Eamon takes a step closer, his jaw tight as he stares down at me.“You took a risk—a big one.I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.”

His words carry tenderness, but I push it aside, refusing to back down.“You’re starting to sound like Ruairi,” I say, my tone cutting.