Page 403 of Playing Dirty

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Luca nodded like that was acceptable.

Because it was.

Across the room, Rowan was already with the media team.

Laptop open.

Head down.

Focused in a way that looked professional from a distance.

But Mason knew better now.

That wasn’t distance.

That was control.

Or the attempt at it.

Their eyes met once.

Just once.

No wave.

No smile.

Just acknowledgment.

Then it was gone again.

Like it had to be.

ROWAN

The assignment brief sat heavier than it should’ve in my hands.

Final feature.

Mason Reed.

Not a draft anymore.

Not notes.

Final piece.

Meaning: this is what people will believe.

Mia wasn’t here.

Serena wasn’t here.

It was just me and the version of him they wanted me to translate into words.

The interviewer from before passed behind me.

“You’ll want accuracy,” he said casually.

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