The silent master

Aston Martin that cost more than

with a jaw set so tight his teeth ached. The car crunched over the gravel drive,

hilanthropist. Board member of three museums. He was polished, educated, and safe. He was e

Jax muttered to

the security suite. Today, the "shadow" rol

oking agonizingly uncomfortable. He was wearing a soft gray sweater and slacks-casual, accessible. Julian Mercer, by

med to fill the cavernous space. "You look thin. Have you

an stepped forward, closing the distance wit

ed, his eyes darting to the floor

o drag you out into the sunlight." Julian re

e he made the conscious decision to do so. He crossed the marble floor in

et behind Elias, his presenc

crosecond before returning with a condescending

d. He stood with his arms loose at his sides,

focus entirely on Elias. "I've arranged a private lunch on the terrace. I

these social performances, but Mercer was a major invest

. lovely, Julia

nch was

he stone wall, hidden behind sunglasses that concealed

wine. He cut the tension with charming anecdotes about his ti

one who understands the burden of legacy. You can't stay locked up in this fortress fo

ge the world for him? Julian spoke about Elias like

lp," Elias said quietl

ployees, Elias. You have guards. I'm talking about an e

the employee. He was the one standing behind. But the thought of this manicured, soft

uggested, standing up. "I want to see

ide-by-side, Julian and Elias had to be close. Their shoulders brushed.

No touching. That was the law. And here was Julian, br

The wind had picked up, blowing a

king Elias's path, effectively trapping him against the fountain's edg

tep forward o

r hair from Elias's forehead. His hand lingered on Elias's cheek. "But I

rs, the way Elias's breath stopped. It wasn't romantic tension; it was t

, trying to step back, but the sto

r excitement. He leaned in, his face inches from Elias's

it. The le

oved with a speed that defied his size, co

nd the size of a dinner plate clamped onto his shoulder and y

his balance. He spun around, his face flushed with in

completely, facing Elias. He made himself a human wall,

His voice was a low, terrifying rumb

ightening his jacket. "This is a private convers

s shoulder. He took off his sunglasses. His

ching him when he's backed into a corner. In my book,

riend!" Julian yell

ing off him made the wealthy heir freeze. Jax was four inches taller, fifty pounds

be touched," Jax said, his voice deadly qu

to spot the billionaire. "Are you going

ilence. The wind ru

's massive back, Elias spoke.

ake you to the

muscle that was Jax, to the hidden figure of Elias. He sneered, hi

stle." He glared at Jax. "You're just a hired gun, Thorn

d off toward t

gine faded down the driveway. Only then did the adrenalin

rned a

e fountain, his arms wrapped

lias said softly, though he d

The words came out harsher than he

g me, Jax. That'

and hot. "He thinks because he knows which fork to use and how to tie a Windsor k

x's tone. He studied Jax's face-the clenched j

is voice barely a whisper.

anted to wipe the memory of Julian's touch off Elias's skin. He wanted to prove that

t you need someone who asks before they touch. Someone who stands i

rting slightly. A flush rose on h

way to hide the conflict in his eyes. "I am just the

t look back to see if Elias was following. He didn't have to. He