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thought, not really. Hell, I didn’t want that. I only planned to let her think that I did for a while, so that she could fully experience the consequences of her actions.
    When I spoke to Ms. Flores this morning, I didn’t rent Charli for a year: I freed her. It cost a damn fortune, but I did it. I also told her to let Alexandria believe it was business as usual for Infidelity. I wanted Charli to think the deal was complete. And then, as soon as our conversation was done, Deloris deleted all of Charli’s files. There was no record of Alexandria Collins anywhere on the Infidelity network. I’d made myself very clear: Alexandria’s employment was terminated. The transaction cost me the entire year of her agreement, a bonus for expediting the process, as well as the additional fee for keeping the whole deal confidential. Fuck, I’d almost paid more for Charli than Demetri Enterprises originally invested in Infidelity. She was expensive, but I refused to allow her to be a whore.
    The taxi stopped outside the building housing multiple floors of Demetri Enterprises. As I glanced up at the glass structure, I realized that I’d accomplished nothing during the drive, not even looking at my phone. Running my hand over my face to refocus, the lingering scent of Charli almost derailed my efforts. Damn, I needed to get my head on straight or the next few hours would be a disaster.
    Oren was in town.
    If it weren’t for my dinner plans with dear old Dad, I would have stayed with Charli. My father’s timing couldn’t be worse. Or maybe it was Charli’s timing. Either way, I needed to get my head back in the game. Oren Demetri required one hundred percent concentration. If he didn’t have it, he’d sense it like a wild predator sensed weakness. I’d seen him mercilessly eat adversaries alive and spit out their bones, all the while keeping a smile on his face. I wouldn’t let Charli or anyone else allow me to slip up around him.
    For the next few hours I needed to push her to the back of my mind. That was all right. She had instructions, and as long as she followed them, her evening would be occupied until we met again. As I rode the elevator high into the sky and tried to concentrate on business, one final realization hit me: I didn’t own Alexandria Collins. From the first time I saw her in Del Mar, she owned me.
    My assistant, Dianne, looked up from her desk as soon as I entered her office, the area immediately outside of mine.
    “Mr. Demetri, thank goodness. I’ve been trying to reach you.”
    I straightened my shoulders, forced myself back to reality, and reached for my phone from the pocket of my jacket. Swiping the screen I saw the number of missed calls and texts. “I told you that I’d be temporarily unavailable.”
    “Yes, sir,” she said, following me into my office. “It’s Mr. Demetri. He’s called for you several times, and now he’s here.”
    I stopped walking near the large windows. The tinted glass kept the sun’s rays from penetrating, but the shimmering buildings reflected the August heat. With her words, the buildings no longer registered. I ran my hand through my hair and shook my head as I spun back toward Dianne. “Here? Where?”
    “The receptionist just called from the ground floor. She said he’s about three minutes behind you.”
    “Shit. I’m supposed to meet him for dinner in an hour. I wonder what’s so damn important it couldn’t wait.”
    “Also, Senator Carroll called. He’d like you to return his call today.”
    I nodded. “Don’t mention that in front of my father.”
    “Of course not. Would you like me to tell Mr. Demetri that you’re unavailable?”
    I would, but it wouldn’t stop him. He’d barge right in even if I were in a meeting. It wouldn’t matter to him who I was talking to. After all, he was Oren Demetri. It’s his damn name on the letterhead.
    “No. I have a few minutes before my meeting with Ellis. Send him back.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    I took a seat