the asphalt, passing the dar

. Her stomach felt hollow, gnawed raw by the anxiety of

r. His profile was sharp, his jawlin

ce. She forced a nervous laugh. "Since you are

his eyes o

for the Wall Street guy?"

nsion in her chest ea

Thanksgiving. I cannot pay you in cash, but I can offer a lifeti

The silence stretche

lush of embarrassme

ly, waving her hands. "Obvious

hit the

an empty, quiet parking spot along the riverbank. He

belt and turned his e

ensity in his stare made Kittie press h

s voice was a low rumble that vibrated against her skin

ard. Her throat fe

ome pastries?" sh

did not

s words precise and sharp. "We get a

ng. The blood rushed out of

" she

uts your mother up permanently. A piece of paper holds we

, her chest rising and falling rapidl

we do not need to factor in. I need a wife to satisfy the requirements of that overseas asse

raced. Dolores's screaming voice echoed in her ears

Dolores could never ca

ding," Kittie whispere

And as your legal spouse, I will cover half the r

e

w. Half her rent meant she could keep t

e edge of her seat. He

Kittie said, her voice shaki

y gleam flashed

agreed. "Busine

ded so hard she felt it in her teeth.

Kittie w