ed Le Coucou. French, e

spoon. She looked composed. The matchmaker, a woman named Mada

eClair had said. "Ver

She needed this to work. T

ria

look

r was not a financ

harles Enterpr

o big, the sleeves covering his knuckles. H

inked. "What are

legs wide. "Madame LeClair sent me. Said you were loo

rain from her face. "Th

t dumped you. Rough break. But hey, I got a promotion last w

vered her hand with h

," Bob leered. " But you're damaged goo

nd away as if she ha

hind her, a famil

, holding a martini, surrounde

loud enough for half the restaurant to hear. "

quiet. People were

o put Darian in her place. To show her that wit

e. "See? Even the boss's girlfriend thinks

t Bob. Then she

he didn't flip the table. She didn't scream. Sh

her thumb moving with practiced efficiency across the screen. She typed a single, e

ce a silken threat. "I would advis

ked. "Uh

f old oatmeal. His eyes widened in terror. He had just received a detailed ledger of his gambling debts, owed to a

tammered, scrambling up so fa

no louder than a whisper, yet

ractically ran out of the restaurant,

. She turned to

en. She held her marti

rough the silent room. "But you should really vet you

ur, please. And send a bottle of your cheapest

taurant. Her legs were shaki

l. A black SUV was idling at t

an

n watching

He didn't look angry.

," Darian said, wa

ngside her. "Why are you doing this? D

se him. Your g

ed. "Aimee

pen window. "I want to get married, Grant. I want a life.

ant said. "I can buy you an

ut a ring,"

ct," Grant scoffed. "

"And I'm looking for a

cab. As she climbed

: Vance &

egarding y

available to meet. Ton

en. A smile, small and da

said. "Midtown