Page 6

She’s not wearing any jewelry—no earrings, necklace,orwedding ring. Not even a bracelet. A woman as beautiful as her deserves to be spoiled, showered in riches. The immediate attraction is undeniable, but also insufferable and not what I need.
A hint of a blush hits her cheeks, and she chews on her lip.
The silent butdangerousconversation continues. How can this woman steal my breath in such a profound way that it leaves me puzzled? Nearly speechless.
“Hi,” she says again.
“You already said that,” I tell her with a brow popped. “But you can leave now. I arrived earlier than planned, and they must’ve forgotten to inform you.”
I’m usually not so forgiving, but thishasto be a misunderstanding. Everyone at the W is aware I’m not to be disturbed while I’m here. I’ve made it crystal fucking clear. It’s been talked about in the gossip magazines, the ones that have covered my family, right alongside the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefellers. Thanks to them, the goddamn world knows I prefer to be alone. Excepther.
So, I’ll do this one act of kindness. When she’s about to say something else, I catch the glint of gold held tight in her balled fist. My body tenses when I see it and my jaw clenches.
“What’s in your hand?” The question comes out steady but with frustration. And people wonder why I’m not kinder. It always bites me in the ass.
Her dark brows crease as she glances down atmyproperty and swallows hard.
She shouldn’t be in here, not like this, and seeing my grandfather’s watch in her possession is a cruel joke. A gorgeousthief,the only woman who’s ever had the ability to steal my breath away with a single glance,is my karma. I nearly laugh at the severity of the situation, but keep it tucked deep inside for me to focus on in the middle of the night.
I step forward, holding out my palm, but I don’t take my intense gaze from her. My nostrils flare as she gently returns what she took.
“What’s your name?” I roll the shirtsleeve to my forearm before sliding the cool metal onto my wrist. I adjust it, glancingat the logo of my family’s business on the clock face. It’s past four, and in a few hours, I’ll be schmoozing investors while closing multimillion-dollar deals.
I tuck my hands into my pockets, glaring back at her. When her pretty face saddens, my heart almost stops beating. But I need to know who she is and why she’s here.
“Your name?” I breathe out, growing impatient with every passing second. The words come out harsher than I intended, but I’mfucking pissed and disappointed. “Did someone send you?”
I’ve never met anyone who dared to takeanythingfrom me. There has to be a better explanation for this.No onekeeps me waiting, but here I am, with bated breath, desperate for this woman to tell me who the fuck she is.
“Mr. Calloway,” she kindly says, clearing her throat.
“That’smyname. Now, I’d likeyours. And please don’t make me ask again.” It comes out like a growl as I continue to grow impatient.
“No onesentme. I’m Alexis, but I prefer to be called Le—” Her voice is sweet with a hint of a Southern drawl.
She’s charming, but I’ve never met a criminal who wasn’t. Especially in the business I’m in.
“I don’t give a fuck,Alexis. Why are you here?” I glare at her, scratching my finger down the scruff on my cheek.
“It’sLexi,” she corrects.
“Whydid you have my watch?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I’m sorry. I was cleaning and saw it on the nightstand, and that was it. No one sent me. I?—”
“You took it.” I’m unamused as my care meter begins to lower.
“Yes. But you’re unwilling to let me explain myself, so I guess this conversation is over, isn’t it?”
“Correct.” I need her out of my space.
“Ugh.”
She groansatme, and the ghost of a smile plays on my lips.
I’m not used to anyone being so fearless around me, or maybe it’s carelessness. Most are too intimidated, afraid I’ll be the man they’ve been warned about. But it’s obvious Alexis doesn’t care about who I am or what it is I do. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she believesI’mthe inconvenience.
“You can leave now,” I state, wanting to be alone.