vic threw

t Side study, the screen cracking along a diagonal

on me. That

You'll give yourself a stroke." She placed her hands on his shoulders, her touch pr

tructive." Gus collapsed into his leather chair. "Cos

the doorway, her pink loungewear immaculate

ng. "Is it my fault? Should I go

ter, gathering her close. "You're a child.

ty-four," G

le's head, communicating volumes. "Unlike some people, she f

mbition that had driven her to an early grave. He thought of

t was the plan. That was your plan, Gus. Secure the Avery connection, merge the brands, create something lasting."

elle met his eyes with perfect vuln

ot as a business arrangement. As a man loves

nni

ue family. She doesn't value your guidance. But Jenelle..." Fannie smiled, maternal pride radiating. "Jenelle understands

a: difficult, expensive, uncontrollable. Jenelle: complian

n," he said slowly. "Presenta

oved to his desk, picking up his phone with delicate fingers. "Evang

rom memory. The Ameri

'm calling on behalf of my husband, Gus Petrovic's, account. Sp

restroom to find Barrett examining the

g alright?

dit card notification she'd seen on her banking app. She would not think about the rent du

solutions. About lev

for the check folder, h

rows rose. "Yo

cipal humiliation. The le

esturing surrende

d the leather folder, her expression professionally

monthly mortgage paymen

Barely. It would decimate her liquid

phire Reserve. Her hand was s

ening," she told the server, s

olite. But his eyes-his eyes noted everything. The slight tightening ar

inking against the glass, and calculated how many meals she

Barrett's small,