Dominic noticed the change immediately.
She was quieter. Distant. Watching her surroundings like she expected something to go wrong.
"You're distracted," he said during their meeting.
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
Ava exhaled sharply. "Why do you care?"
The question hung between them.
Dominic's expression hardened slightly.
"Because whatever this is between us," he said, "it doesn't work if you shut me out."
She looked at him, conflicted.
"You don't get to demand honesty from me when you've told me nothing about yourself."
That hit.
Dominic stepped closer.
"You want to know about me?" he asked.
"Yes."
He held her gaze.
"My world isn't clean, Ava. The deals I make, the people I work with—it's not something you walk into lightly."
Her heart pounded.
"Try me."
His jaw tightened.
"That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid."