ed aggressively, dancing across th

Buzz

Liam's hand shaking her sh

g a strawberry with surgical precision, his eyes fixed on

t and swiped t

el

void of any apology. "Where are you? I had Marcus call

in her stomach. "I... I co

sy in his tone wasn't romantic; it was territor

e paused, his knife hovering over the plate.

roblem. A big one. The press got wind of the arr

bail, Liam.

d. "There are rumors. We need to kill th

phone tighter.

ng your honor. That the fight was

ren't defending me. You were def

rents will cut me off if they find out I'm seeing her ag

t... what?

His voice shifted, becoming wheedling, manipulative. "Remember w

an

milk onto the counter. The

Liam stopp

yes were cold, hard, furious. He shook his head o

n his eyes, she saw a s

red. "I need to

ed. "I'm sending the draft to your ema

ne away from her e

oe

hung

in the kitch

e face down. She

Julian said. His voi

him. I lied to pro

rected. "Why? Afraid he'll find out you sp

red. "I just did

on. "He's using you to hide his trashy girlfriend so h

's company... we have a deal pending with Sterling Corp. If I

n softened from anger to something resembling pity. "The

l, i

silence. The food tasted

Julian stood up. "I'm

l closet that looked like it hadn't been touched in years. He pulled out a heav

Your coat is ruined. This was

ell enough. She shoved her hands into the pockets. Her fingers brushed against

ugged, already turning toward t

h. The sharp peppermint burn

ia was quiet. The city was digging itself out of

curb of her dorm, Julian didn'

his phone. "QR

ward her. It was a Co

hy

ucting messages. Liam can't subpoena thes

n pulled out her p

ped up. A black

ht ahead through the windshield. "If he pushes you

her throat. "Why

eyes searched hers for a s

ne has to," he

ks clic

ewalk. She watched the black Maybac

Her roommate, Sarah, was still

desk and open

i

l from "St

: Draft Stateme

The headline

HILDHOOD SWEETHEART IN

am Sterling, protecting his

ck. Physica

s. He had already written the script. A