SERAPHINA
I sat across from him at Lumine, watching his expression carefully. Wariness. Distrust. Curiosity. All exactly as I'd predicted.
"You're late," Roman said, his golden-brown eyes hard as stone.
"I'm precisely on time," I replied, sliding into the booth beside him rather than across as he'd clearly intended. The flash of annoyance on his face was almost worth the wait. "And I've already ordered for us. The chef here owes me a favor."
Roman's jaw tightened. He hated not being in control, especially around me. Good. Off-balance was exactly how I needed him.
"You mentioned the Foundation." He cut straight to the point, refusing even a sip of the wine I'd ordered. "Talk."
I smiled, taking my time. "So impatient. Some things never change."
"My patience with you expired years ago, Seraphina. Either say what you came to say or I'm leaving."
"Fine." I reached for my wine glass. "I know who's blocking the permits for Vanessa's little charity project."
