I Am Not Your Pawn Anymore

and. It was a Montblanc, heavy, black, and cold-just

a. We're runni

tte sharp against the gray, storm-battered skyline of Tribeca. The rain lashed

the mahogany desk. Admission of G

lie. Al

boardrooms. "With good behavior, you'll be out in eighteen months. The trust fund is

his words rose in her throat. She looked at his back. The

e whispered. Her voice

nced at her trembling hand, and she saw the flicker of annoyance in his eye

toward the desk. "And I am compensating you for your sacr

dele Townsend authorized the trades. Her signat

he desk, leaning in. He was using his height, his presence, to suffocate her. It was a tactic

. "This merger is bigger than you. It's bigger than us. If Adele is implica

go to

enty millio

ort, sharp sound, devoid of humor.

hud that vibrated up her thigh. "With what I know? With the secrets I hold for this family? I won't make it

is fingers were warm, but his touch sent a shiver of pure terr

, Anaya. Stop b

ch trig

ore her eyes. Gray walls. Metal bars. A shank made of

. Her breath hitched,

hed against cool metal. The silver letter opener. It was

," Barrett murmure

. She didn't plan.

ung he

perate, jagged motion. The silver blad

i

abric tearing was louder

wn at his arm. A line of crimson was blooming rapidly on the

nough to bleed but not life-threatening. But t

in her grip. Her chest heaved. She expected to feel

lt a terrifying, elect

n dark suits rushed in-Barrett's personal

ked. He held up h

He pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it aga

his voice eerily calm. "We can't have a

guard asked

eyes cold and dead. "Lock her in. She needs to... coo

It clattered onto the Persian rug

ard. Anaya didn't fight. She stared at Barrett, watching him wrap his bl

lammed shut. The heavy click of the deadbol

her knees to her chest. The room was luxurious, filled with t

chilling certainty, that she would never sign that paper. And she kne