Page 28 of With this Ring

He was classically handsome, with an air of confidence and charisma. His piercing eyes held a depth that hinted at untold secrets, and he seemed to see right into her.

She imagined the two formed a powerful alliance.

“You heading up?” Damien asked.

Gregorio nodded.

“Unusual.”

“It is.”

“And you are?” Damien prompted when Gregorio didn’t perform the introduction.

“Petal,” Gregorio said.

At the exact moment, she supplied, “Sasha.”

“I see.”

Judging by the way he scowled and looked at Damien, she wondered if he truly did.

Had Gregorio mentioned her?

The thought was wild, absurd, and she shook her head to clear it. She didn’t mean anything to him.

“Are you consenting to be alone with Gregorio”—he looked between the two of them—“Petal?”

She appreciated him honoring her anonymity.

“There are no cameras in the offices,” he went on. “No one to check on you.”

Brandy and Master Niles had obviously meant it when they said the club looked out for all members. That even seemed to apply to the owner’s second in command.

“She’s fine,” Gregorio snapped.

Damien raised a hand. “I’m speaking to Petal.”

She met his gaze. “In answer to your question, yes. I was hoping for a word with Gregorio.”

“I’ll give you fifteen minutes.”

Gregorio opened his mouth as if to object, but Damien smoothly said, “Seems to me someone even looked out for Catrina.”

Gregorio angled his head to the side. A warning tic flickered in his temple. “Acknowledged,” he said tightly.

Who was Catrina? Someone special to Damien? Regardless, Damien’s pointed words evidently had meaning to Gregorio.

Apparently satisfied, Damien stepped to one side.

As she passed, he nodded. “Petal.”

“Sir.”Is that what I’m supposed to say?The word had fallen out easily, almost automatically, shocking her.

Upstairs, they passed a couple of powder rooms, and he continued to a door set at an angle to block anyone from going farther.

He touched a few keys on the wall, and a lock released.

After pressing down on the handle, he ushered her inside.

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