Allison's POV
Bellingham approached, crisp steps and a smug half-smile in tow.
"How was your meeting with the Middle Eastern delegation?"I asked.
He smirked, pushing his glasses up with one knuckle.
"Dream clients. Money's not even part of the conversation. When they want something, they just take it."
"Of course they do,"I replied. "Why hesitate when you want something? Only lets someone else swoop in and steal it."
Before Bellingham could respond, a voice cut through our conversation like a knife wrapped in silk.
"Interesting philosophy."
Bellingham didn't flinch.
"You're looking surprisingly well-rested, considering all the bourbon last night," he said, like they were old poker buddies instead of two men about to enter a verbal knife fight.
Lucian didn't
