and steel that seemed to pierce the sky. Sta

ards in the lobby didn't smile. They scanned her ID, her

ist said, handing her a vis

was smooth and fas

it was waiting. "Miss Diaz. I'm Arthur Do

elled of lemon polish and money. H

walnut table stretched the length of

ather chair faced the window, lo

l thud on the carpet. Her heart was beat

trying to sound like the CEO she wanted to be, not

Five seconds of silen

ind the chair. It was deep, mu

for her laptop. She got the projec

istics network in the Bronx. With a capital in

s. Her throat was dry. T

this bridge loan is

rupted. "And you omitted the largest liability on yo

a personal matter. It w

no personal matters. O

began to t

e expected a balding man. Ma

air fa

ed from her hand and cl

he face that had hovere

ack, steeping his fingers.

sed?" h

uited. The penthouse. The l

ted a shaking fin

finished for her. "The ma

face crimson. She had slept with hi

ck. "I... I didn't

rned t

didn't shout. He didn't have

lla s

s," he said. "Unless you want to

e pulled out a chair and s

ou want?"

h the investment," he said. "