"Flames of Power: A Forbidden Alliance"

most powerful CEO entailed late-night conversations, unrealistic deadlines, and be

ough, things

dentify, and his customary assurance tinged with desperation. He stepped inside, qu

said finally, his voice

e commanded, maneuvered, and strategized. He got whatever

id, her voice firm despite

unfunny smile. "The kind

on the verge of collapse. It was risky, deceitful, and absolutely inappropriate. However, as Jas

arisma, Jason Bellucci was concealing something-som

f she was heading i

rt racing. "You think pretending to be yo

ction that sent electricity through the air between them. "It is not only about repairing things. It

ruly trust anyone. However, the intensity in his eyes was impossible to

her neck. "What happens if your ex decides to fight back?" Whe

tory. "She will not draw you into

ous-deceived him. He wasn't only concerned about h

sed softly. "Anything you want-money,

Jason's impending storm. But something about the way he looked at her-as if she were more than simply h

Jason extended his hand, waiting for her respon

slipping her hand into his.

his smirk mixed relief and t

n't shake the notion that she'd just made a bargain w

of all eyes on her as she entered the venue on Jason's arm. The sleek black dress he'd insisted on, the diamond bracelet he'd

m like armor, and he moved with deliberate and authoritative steps. Despite hi

his lips brushing against her ea

r smile. "I feel like I'm one wrong

lmost amused. "Let them try."

melia gave him a glance. But before she coul

as

who didn't just walk into a room; she owned it. Sophia's keen green eyes swept ov

ove?" Sophia inquired, her voic

st. "Amelia," he whispered calmly, his arm t

er, but not as much as Sophia's expression-

ile growing. "I didn't expect you to

his placid appearance. Whatever history these

ialty," Jason responded

nd her sneer became razor keen. "W

tened his jaw. Amelia tilted her head, attem

our ex," Amelia e

s, revealing a rawness beneat

r hand, his grip almost too tight. "Dance with m

," she mumbled, bu

ce lowering. "Sophia plays dirty, and if she s

wayed to the music. His grip was firm but cautious, and hi

ftly, her voice nearly lo

pping for a brief time. "Beca

thing deeper? She was unsure. However, as

worse, she was

ply a game anymore. For better

cey was not

uldn't help but feel that the woman had left a ti

appeared in the Boston Ledger with the flashy h

at something he'd said, his palm protectively resting against her back. The story was rife with speculation abo

tenance as gloomy as a rainstorm. "Sophia," he hiss

melia inquired, even thou

this city," Jason said. "If this isn'

over the article again. "B

"She's testing us to see if we'll crack under pressure. A

This wasn't simply about damaged egos or old fla

red, her voice firm despit

y that she felt her stomach flip. "We're doubling down. Dinner toni

a said, her voice

ing, the works. "If Sophia wan

nto the expensive restaurant with practiced ease. He nailed the role of the atten

mo

next move was rapid. A server handed a bottle o

beginnin

fingers tightened around it. Amelia leaned neare

ia sat, her red dress standing out against the shadowy booth. She raised

le," his voice l

ha

hing across the table to cover hers

chest. Sophia was playing a game she didn't understand,

ealized one thing: if Sophia was going to come for

ever fragile bond was fo