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Alexander leaned close to my ear. “Emilia, ready to go?”

Goodness, the way this man said my name. I nodded and we started toward the residential building. When we reached my door, Alexander pulled me in for a kiss, soft and slow, his arms settling around me.

“There’s someone I’d like you to meet tomorrow evening.”

“Oh?”

“His name is Winston.”

I laughed softly. “I have no idea who he is.”

“I know. I think you’ll like the introduction.”

“I look forward to it, then.”

He pulled me even closer and kissed me, deeper this time.

“I intend to carry your taste with me until then. I’ll come to your door tomorrow evening at seven o’clock. Good night, Emilia.”

I was breathless. “Good night, Alexander.”

He waited until I was inside and the door locked behind me before he left.

* * *

Alexander

She was stunning.

The green dress, her dark hair, the way she moved. I had spent the entire evening trying to control my desire for her and failed. I still tasted her on my lips. I wanted her. All of her.

I unlocked my suite door and walked in. Winston came to greet me, his tail wagging, his expression resembling what I had long ago decided was a smile. He followed me into the kitchen, where I gave him one of his favorite treats.

“She’s coming tomorrow evening,” I said, running a hand over his head. “I think you’re going to like her.” Winston accepted the treat and stayed beside me.

My thoughts turned to what Marcus had told me this evening.

“We have more information about the surveillance camera disruption. The compromised camera path would have allowed someone to reach the storage corridor without being observed.”

I could no longer safely assume that the Saturday intrusion was only about entering Emilia’s office. Someone could have used the compromised camera path to reach the storage corridor and prepare for the fire days before it happened. Until now, I had theories. This was the first plausible connection between the intrusion and the fire.

The report had said that there was no evidence of deliberate tampering. That was not the same as proving none had occurred.

I kept returning to one name.

Victoria Caldwell.

The search for her had produced very little. Since leaving Blackwood Hall, she had become remarkably difficult to find. Whether that was deliberate remained unknown. I suspected it was.

This was no longer only about stolen information. If the intrusion and the fire were connected, Emilia and her team could be in physical danger. She needed to know.

I looked down at Winston, still settled beside me. Emilia was coming tomorrow evening. I would tell her then.

Chapter 18

Emilia

I had been thinking about tonight constantly. Every time I imagined walking into Alexander’s suite, I felt the same flutter of anticipation. I was looking forward to seeing him and wondered where the evening would lead.