Page 87 of The Contract

Mr. Calloway grins, placing the rogue shell back onto my plate with a wink. “Happens to me all the time,” he assures, his voice warm and indulgent.

The table relaxes, the moment passing as others chuckle and return to their meals. I let out a breath, willing my pulse to steady, and glance sideways at Damien.

He sets me at ease with a quick wink, his grin pulling out the dimple on his left cheek. I look at it quickly before meeting his blue eyes once again.

His smile only gets bigger for just a beat before he turns back to his plate and the conversation. “So, what were you saying, Richard?”

The courses continue, each one as exquisite as the last. Every plate is a masterpiece—tender filet with a red wine reduction, delicate seafood bisque with a hint of saffron, a fresh citrus sorbet to cleanse the palate before the next indulgence.

I pace myself, knowing meals of this caliber are meant to be savored, not rushed.

The conversation at the table remains mostly business, the merger still the center of attention, though a few personal remarks are thrown in between bites. Mr. Calloway reminisces about his early years in the company, Margo chimes in with her own perspective, and Damien holds his own, his words confidentand assured. I listen, nodding where appropriate, inserting small, strategic remarks to keep Margo engaged.

The servers move seamlessly around us, clearing the last remnants of dinner. I take a sip of my wine, thinking the evening is winding down, thankful for the lack of dramatics.

Then Adrian speaks.

I clearly celebrated too early.

“It’s an ambitious plan,” he says smoothly, swirling his drink lazily in his hand. “But I have concerns about the developments in those lower-income areas. We’ve all seen projects like this before—big promises, even bigger failures. Sink money into them, and before long, you’re looking at a ghost town of half-finished buildings and a PR nightmare.”

He leans back, the picture of nonchalance, but his words are pointed. A calculated jab meant to shake Calloway’s confidence in Damien.

I set my wine down and meet Adrian’s stare head-on.

Damien takes a breath to respond, but I beat him to it.

“Actually, I’d have to disagree,” I say smoothly, my voice carrying across the table with certainty. “There was a real estate development in a struggling district just over ten years ago—similar scale, similar concerns. And yet, here we are a decade later, and that same project is now widely credited with revitalizing the entire area. Job creation, infrastructure improvements, increased property values—by all accounts, it was a resounding success. The Lennox Square Redevelopment, if I’m not mistaken.”

Adrian scoffs, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t put too much stock in what your fiancé tells you, Elena. He’s going to make sure you hear exactly what he wants you to believe.”

Damien physically tenses beside me, but I place my hand on his thigh, a silent signal. I keep my expression poised, unaffected. Then, with a knowing smile, I lift my glass.

“On the contrary,” I counter, tilting my head slightly. “That wasn’t one of Damien’s investments.”

I let the words settle, enjoying the slight flicker of confusion in Adrian’s gaze before I deliver the final blow.

“That was an initiative led by Margo.” I look to her with a proud smile.

Adrian’s jaw tightens as Margo lets out a soft laugh, utterly delighted.

“Oh, Elena, you’ve done your research,” she muses, lifting her own glass. “That project was one of the ones I was most proud of.”

“You set a precedent that makes it easy for others to follow. I have confidence the impressive Wolfe Industries CEO has accounted for this in his plans.”

I turn my warm smile to Damien, my hand moving from his leg to his cheek. I tuck a short tuft of hair behind his ear and brush my thumb along his jaw.

His returning expression is one of awe, mixed with something that looks too much like adoration.

I push away the warmth settling over me, bringing my structured rules back to the forefront of my mind.

It’s all part of the gig.

Calloway, watching the exchange with obvious amusement, chuckles and shakes his head. “Damien, you really have found yourself a sharp one, haven’t you? A woman who can keep up with you.”

He looks at Margo, his expression softening as he lifts his own glass.

“Reminds me of us.”

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