Page 58 of Point of No Return

“They’re already out of the picture.”

For good.I made sure of it myself.

“If I have plans, work around them. Don’t ask me to change them last minute.”

My jaw clenches. I already know this is probably going to wreak havoc on my schedule. But if it fixes things, I’ll do it. “What else?” I agree, and she seems to think carefully, debating what to say next.

“I want you to show me where you work.”

I hide my surprise, merely lifting my chin.What interest does she have in Omenin?

In the quiet that follows, her eyes search my face.

“And if I do, you’ll quit this evasion game?”

She rolls her eyes at my choice of words. “Yes.”

“Done.” I push off the wall, and she finally releases a heavy breath as I put some distance between us. I can feel the loss of her warmth already.

“I’m sorry…” she says suddenly, and for the first time since I’ve met her, she actually looks apologetic. “If I cost you a client with Thomson.”

I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head as she gauges my reaction.

That’s what she’s worried about?

“I’ve been trying to get rid of him for years.”

A small smile curls at her lips, andGod, the things I’d do to be close to her again.

“I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who thinks he’s an ass.”

Dragging a hand through my hair, I shake my head, pushing past the ache to touch her again. “Are we good now?”

She smiles. “I don’t think good is the right word-”

I can never win with her.“Do you really want to talk vocab or can we go and dance now?”

“You never asked me to dance, Mr. Benenati.”

She straightens her dress, brushing her hands over the curve of her ass as she bends down to adjust the heel she lost when I cornered her. I guess I was a bit rougher than I meant to be. But I can’t find it in myself to regret it.

“Don’t push it,” I bite the words as she yanks the door open and I follow behind her.

I refrain from touching her until the music is blaring at full-force again. The dance floor is still packed as we walk the carpeted path toward the tiled dance floor, and when we finally reach it, I lean down and grip her hand in mine.

I tug her closer to me as we sway to the music. I spot the Teams brothers across the room, but they’ve already delved into conversation with other family friends in attendance. I recognize most of them. I’ve been attending these events for too long. They’re all the same. The people. The conversation.

Before Tyson’s diagnosis, before there were rumors of his empire’s demise, the parties were less frequent. My marriage no doubt quashes such rumors, but even I can’t deny the appeal of these events. All the most powerful people are here.

I rest my chin against the side of Charlotte’s head, squeezing her waist before I spin her outwards and then tug her back to me.

“So what’s with the sudden interest in work?”

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I trust her, but I’ve yet to find anything to make medistrusther. Under her breath, Charlotte scoffs, and I smile at the fact that her usual sarcasm is making an appearance. “Believe me, it isn’t interest as much as it is… research.”

“Research?”

She hums, the sound sweet like honey. “I want to know just how well-off I married. Everyone keeps bragging about how deep your pockets are.”

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