THE HANDLE

aron sat rigid, fingers clasped over her purse, ey

t didn't spe

actly why s

he sniper. The red dot. The

ames wante

spoke. Calm

survi

" Sharon

Barely implies weaknes

Adequate. Not competen

c click. Sharon had noticed it in the p

ly," he said. "

et hi

ules," she sa

remind you." He leaned closer. "Stay visib

re part of surv

He studied her like she was a

onment. Questions

swallow

. Penthouse attack. The leaks you discovered-don't exist officially. They ne

omach

le?" she

understand. It's to perform. Smile.

her skull. Perform. Pretend.

he asked, v

's look. For adaptability. Instinct. You survive in envir

s jaw c

le like me to act

ing you do is calculated for their consumption. Board members, press, shareholder

it. To refuse. But she knew on

he seat beside him. He pulled out a small car

it only in emergencies. Do not share it. And

luctantly. It fel

ncy?" s

. If someone identifies you as a decoy. If real Georgia Laur

felt

Geo

e. Or dead. But James' words made it clear:

on and your executioner. Smile. Be visible. Ask nothing

hands c

Georgia..."

r. Not me. Not yourself. Her. Every movement. Every inflecti

uthfully, fear pric

r gala. A donor dinner. You will attend. Observe. Smile. Remain vi

swallow

od," she

the ride w

f the glass. She was a shadow inside a shadow.

a private venue. Chandeliers hung low. The soft clink

smile measured. Cameras clicked.

ng from the corner. Obser

of Laurent's longtime do

me. How are you fee

slightly. Chin up. Eyes

aid. "And more focused t

isfied. But Sharon's

ar the exit. Shoulder-length hair.

on the g

mach ti

ible in her ear through

React. Do

gered on her. Too

zed somethin

donor. He wa

there f

new her

o smile. A perfect G

her bloo

the camer

d from the shadows, calm

steppe

ng so low, Sharon had

supposed to

se skyr

. Conversations hummed. But Sharon kn

as only th