Chapter 213

We reached the pavement. The glass doors slid shut behind us, sealing off the last of the noise. Fabrizio checked his watch, then added, ‘I’m only in Skyline until tomorrow. I’d love to hear from you before I go.’ I nodded. ‘I’ll think it over.’ He held my gaze a beat longer than necessary. Then, tyres screeched against the curb. A black Maybach rolled to a stop half a metre from my boots. The rear door swung open. Ashton stepped out. Black bomber jacket, vintage-wash jeans, dark sunglasses with thin gold frames. His hair was messier than usual, fringe damp against his temples. He moved to my side, one hand slipping into his pocket, the other adjusting his cuff. His eyes, behind the lenses, were fixed on Fabrizio. Cold. Measuring. Not friendly. Ashton didn’t remove the sunglasses. He raised his chin slightly and said, ‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ ‘This is Fabrizio Marchetti,’ I said. ‘CEO of Valmont & Cie.’ Then I looked at Ashton. His mouth didn’t move, but I knew what he wante