burned on her skin. Her heart was hammering so hard she thought he

"I really have to go. If Lydia

t look concerned. He looked bored, but in a

said. "Exa

h him?" He nodded toward the front of the café where Mr. Vane was now loudly complaining about t

from her face. The thoug

out a black card. It wasn't a credit card; it was a business ca

across the

shifted. The boredom vanished, replac

hen at him. "I don't under

quiet. You're desperate. And you

ng because th

ussing the weather. "The shareholders are nervous. They think I'm too volatile. T

ing on the table. "I need a wife.

"You want to hire

enti

"You could have anyo

drama. I want silence. I want someone who will stand next to me at galas, smil

ane was leaving. He stormed out, t

t he'll be back. Or Lydia will

re than the entire building Dawn lived in. "I have a me

e?" Dawn c

I will pay off your student loans. I will pay off Lydia's debt so she leaves you alone. I will provide you with hous

ngerous. This man was a stranger, and he ra

m. She thought of the red banner on her bankin

a shark, yes. But

for the card to take

ed her fingers down on the card

," sh

rner of his mouth tick

looked at his face-hard, unyie

she whi

nodded once. He pulled his p

ready. The standard pren

stood. He butto

go, Mis

mbling to grab her bag.

, turning toward the back

thout looking to see if she wa

to an alley where a sleek black sedan was waiting

tured for h

he interior of the car looked like a black h

softly. It was the first ti

hut with a heavy, expensiv