She laughed.
It surprised both of them.
Giovanni glanced at her.
“Coffee?”
“Is this another employment benefit?”
“No.”
“A strategic investment?”
“No.”
“A suspicious act of charity?”
His mouth almost curved.
“Definitely not.”
Hannah considered him for a moment.
Then she stood.
“Fine.
Coffee.”
Giovanni rose beside her.
Neither mentioned empires, contracts or the Ashfords as they crossed the street.
Behind them, the hospital lights glowed against the night.
Months earlier, Hannah had walked alone from a mansion in a wine-soaked uniform believing powerful people had reduced her to nothing.
She understood differently now.
They had only revealed themselves.
Her dignity had never been theirs to pour onto a marble floor.
