sie

in my stomach like

e office. The room smelled of stale cigarettes

lentless and loud, matching the chao

t my desk before anyone else arrived. I wanted to

n I heard voices. The door was cracked open jus

was Elek Preston, the Vice President-the m

hen closing a deal. "Dessie served her purpose. She helped me stabilize the backend operatio

overed over the doo

e," Elek said.

compliant, Elek. Talented, sure. But she has no sp

ning those papers," Elek said

es, I gave her a payout. She should be grateful. She was holding

ioc

me like a p

s. I had stayed up until dawn fixing his mistakes, mak

n. I leaned against the wall, try

fights you?"

eak. And if she tries, I'll bury her. Chanel has

a sound. My heels sank into t

the cold concrete steps, shiverin

hand on m

ry," I w

nto its DNA. If I kept this baby, I would be tied to Craig forever. He would use

y phone and ca

e was steady, detached. It didn't sound

ng at ten," the r

be t

ily friend we used for our taxes. I called Pet

nt him to know I'm not asking for anyth

ony," Petra said, he

y. I want my name off everything he

rang. It

-a photo from a picnic two years ago. He l

nsw

"Where are you? P

usy,"

aid, impatience creeping in. "Just a form

round. "Craig, stop it," a fe

Right now. Whil

g anything else

ed. "I can wire you another te

voice cold steel. "You're goin

ha

aid. "With Elek. I

eavy and s

nding," he started, shiftin

I finally under

ung

ng room was quiet, sterile. I f

name, I stood up.

l, but the physical pain was a distrac

he anesthesia, I felt

felt light.

The sun was blinding, wash

led a

?" the dr

e," I want

s office," I

Five missed calls

k. Don't do an

ed the

pid anymore.