It was enough.

He didn’t need anything more.

And this time he was determined to keep the subversive demons at bay.

While he couldn’t change his past or wash away a single bitter memory, he could shape a new destiny, create a new world. Perhaps even learn to understand the meaning of love.

TWENTY-ONE

Dominic’s attorney was well dressed in a navy suit that was beautifully cut by a tailor who knew his business, charged what some people made in a year, and sent his clients out in the world with the authority serious money commanded.

Dominic hadn’t changed from his sweats and T-shirt. Katherine was equally dressed down, but Chris Robbins smiled politely when Katherine was introduced, pretending he didn’t see the cuff bracelets and treating Dominic and Kate with professional deference. Or more likely with the extraprofessional deference awarded to a billionaire client and this woman who’d warranted a change in Dominic’s will.

Patty brought in a tray with coffee and cookies, set it on a small table between Katherine and the two men, and left. While Chris extracted several documents from his briefcase, the men discussed the season the Golden State Warriors were having and the point spread from last night’s game. They agreed that they needed more rain and that the opera needed more funding, after which Dominic suggested that Chris send the opera whatever he thought appropriate and let Roscoe know the amount.

Chris set a small stack of papers on the table, carefully lined up the edges, and took out a lacquered black pen, quite beautiful, like fine jewelry. He unscrewed the cap and handed the pen to Dominic.

Gee, rich people didn’t even have to get up for their own pen, Kate thought, glancing at the desk where several pens resided in a leather canister.

Dominic leaned forward in his chair. “Show us where to sign.”

“Would you like to read it?”

“The draft was fine.” Dominic turned to Kate. “You should read it though, Katherine.” He nodded at the attorney, who slid a copy toward Kate.

“I don’t want to.”

Dominic gave her a quick look. “I’d advise you read it. Tell her Chris.”

Chris smiled politely. “I always suggest a contract be read before signing.”

Kate pointed at the papers. “Do you include my e-mail out clause? That’s all I need.” It meant she could leave, as they’d agreed in Singapore, whenever she wished.

The attorney glanced at Dominic, then ran a quick hand over his thinning hair.

Dominic stared at him for a heartbeat, his expression blank. “Katherine’s referring to the revocation clause.”

“Yes, of course.” Chris swallowed. “The clause is in there.”

Kate sat up a little straighter in her chair. “Then show me where to sign.”

Dominic gave her a pointed look. “I’m going to make sure your CX Capital contract is reviewed before you sign it. They won’t be as amenable as me should you change your mind.”

“You’re amenable? Really?” She grinned playfully. “Since when?”

“Enough, Katherine,” Dominic warned softly, flicking his eyes toward the attorney.

“I expect the nature of our friendship isn’t in doubt since Mr. Robbins drafted this contract for you, Dominic,” she said as softly.

Dominic sighed. “Then just sign the thing.”

“That’s what I was going to do before you started giving orders.”

Dominic’s mouth clamped shut, a twitch appeared high over his cheekbone, and he handed her the pen.

Afterward, Chris Robbins relayed the news to his business partner that not only had Dominic wanted this woman badly enough to sign an exclusivity contract, but that Miss Katherine Hart apparently was not the docile type because she’d argued with Dominic until he’d given up. “Well, not docile except for the handcuffs,” he said with a grin and went on to explain the pricey bracelets.

“That’s her appeal,” Bob Thorp, his partner, said, grinning back in that leering way typical in male discussions of sex. “Docile when it matters, otherwise not docile. Keeps Knight guessing.”

“Her only interest was in the revocation clause. She refused to look at the contract. Dominic pressed her and she resisted.”

“Did you tell her the revocation clause is worthless?”

“She didn’t ask.”

“She doesn’t know about the codicil to Knight’s will either, right? Or do you think she does know and that’s why it doesn’t matter that the revocation clause is completely ineffectual?”

“No, Dominic was absolutely clear on that. She doesn’t know. The codicil was in a separate envelope I was told to put in his desk. I was ushered into his office first.”

“So what does this potentially rich woman look like? Something extraordinary, I’d say.” Bob adjusted the cuff on his twenty-grand suit. “Maybe she’ll be looking for a new friend.”

“She’s way out of your league, Bobby my boy, so don’t get excited. And she’s rich only if some meeting Dominic has on Tuesday goes wrong. He’s not expecting trouble, he said, but just taking precautions. He didn’t give any details beyond that. But Knight Enterprises does business in some dodgy regions of the world. Even with security, there’re always risks.”

“I still don’t know what this extremely clever and apparently too-beautiful-for-me woman looks like.” Bob Thorp didn’t take his partner’s put-down personally. Very few men could challenge Dominic Knight when it came to looks.