slid down, the thick fabric tearing at her palms. The ma

e thin fabric of the tracksuit, scratching her legs and ar

ip to keep fr

darkness near the house. "Check

to the shadows, moving toward the rear wall of the estat

s breaking against the stone. She tumbled over

e was bleeding, lim

the road. She limped toward them. "Please," she gasp

uspicious appearance bu

rs shook as she

Two ring

A voice like

" she wheezed. "I w

ed on the line.

the Doyle est

ai

ne wen

nted windows screeched to a halt in fr

tant, looked at her with zero emotion.

. Put t

She tied the blindfold over her eyes. Her world be

hen the car stopped, she could s

rward onto what felt like a smooth, stone floor. "You can stan

room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking a churning black ocean

cleaning an antique pistol with a

e said. "Faster

e mud on her face. "Doyle Industries is cook

ed against the glass. "Sit." He pointed the barrel of the gun vaguely

I know the offshore accounts they use to hide

do you want? Money? Or do you w

t the Doyles to lose the bid tomorr

he door, let out a s

He walked toward her, towering over her. He used the barrel of th

st-off played ou

nds are hidden," Araminta lied. Her voice didn't shake. "T

amble. A m

nd dangerous. "If you are lying to me, Araminta, I will

ise," she said. "I

d grabbed her waist, pulling her flush against his hard

d. "And I want you. But marri

d and shoved her

Javen Doyle. If you can please me tonight.

e doorframe. She looked back at him. He w

old bedroom. She looked in the mirror. Her lip was

f the tracksuit. She was making a deal with the devil. But