ntically searching for a lifeline to raise the exorbi

eft her in a state of emotional turmoil, vo

d in her mouth, fueling her determin

ore a multitude of options, includin

ces she had applied to wouldn't even mak

ctor Sanchez's recent call had

but Emily's heart sank as she realized that the funds she had managed to scrape together we

ess. Fatigue washed over her, and she let out a weary sigh, feeli

ender, the thought of Tony's offer flickered

apping herself out of

mise her integrity, no matter

by glanced curi

s pinkened in embarrassment. She sucked in her lips, offerin

n her way, rapidly walking the rest of th

rk, moving about mechanica

ly. E

shoulder. She spun to face the person, her heart in her t

A relie

d look on her brown face. Her brows were tightly pul

r mouth, shaking h

I called you twice, standing right b

ngrossed in working. That happens to me sometimes. I

ngue. She seemed to

ation? I have a few more

e to take ove

brows fu

ne knows that. It's evident on your face, Emily. I know we're not that close to share burdens, but i

d, swallowi

agingly. "He's in his office." She

d in enough air before she walked through t

bar's premise, but outside, there

could choke an asthma

oice came from insid

tepped into the office wi

eason to parade his o

have to work for long with him. It had only been desperation to make up

er favor. She was barely hanging there

mil

much air she inhaled. "Yes, sir." She square

the malodorous smell in Tony's office, but she

et back to par. Haven't yo

down on her lip. She knew he

d been lost in thought over what pa

" She raised her hea

r before she could

of the employees in the bar to cut back on payout expenses. The current sales are not e

. "I will put in

emotionally down to carry on your duties, Emily

hts raced in her head, her pulse quicken

ked, fueled by

ed, startled at h

nate my employment here." That would be

Em

from her mouth before s

And she didn't have to delude herself t

enses, and no matter the hours she pulled, she wouldn't be a

or her income to cove

s strongly a

more determinedly, making

d do it. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she dawdled o

ng his hands over his stomach. "What will you

ll him to ignore it, but she remembered the hope in Gabrielle's eyes wh

. She had endured too much pain from a very y

st time we spoke. I need money to pay my sister's medical bills. I'

stands. You were so irritated when I broached the idea to you.

ed and embarrassed. She twitched her

't tell. There might be a customer at t

ily said in

ing. She should have been hopeful r

that standard, but she had no way around it. S

know the time to come," Tony sai

office with a heavy heart, dread

happen, but she doubted i

d. She wanted to save Gabrielle,

ays go the way a pe

she wishe

o take her position at the bar, silently pra

e murmured under her b

*

the VIP parking space of the

gnition, taking a moment to acqua

e since he had com

with appointments to keep a

been working extra hours over the months to keep his co

r granted him access, not bothering with questions. Although it had been a

, and he walked inside. The smell of booz

o reached his ear as he approached further. His blood rushed thr

as he saw him. He had spotted him walking in through

ights danced overhead with the music, cast

holas ackno

Sir. It's really goo

easure

ilable tonight. If it were occupied, I w

Tony was only

VIPs who could afford it. Its service was ex

ealthy business men, tycoons, and individuals

t coming here. It was an opportunity to ga

r." Tony gestured as h

hrowing his arm acro

. But what specifically would you love to have ton

eference. I need

where the phone booth was attached and

ial menu tonight

it

mouth. "I offer only the b

is chin, saying,

**

nded when she was

illy tonight. It caressed her

erratically at facing the

ncelling now would cost her a lot: her job, Gabrielle's life, and she w

late to ba

ony said when he walked

k of a hooker with heavy makeup on her fac

herself in the mirror when sh

it was beautiful, it exposed too much

CEO, not one of the old misters. Since it's your

aid his hands on her shoulde

ed her. She struggled to swallow the lum

in her ear, nuzzling hi

ast, and Emily jumped out of t

face as he took in her body with a lustfu

distance between them, standing so close t

ing?" She stutter

r it tra

ny was trying to take advantage of

out in a club filled with deprave

g," she hissed throug

retty stiff..." He

client," Emily said in a rush, tryi

ld a man be

her stom

ise." She held his gaze firmly, s

her the amount she needed

n Tony's face. "Ok

her face to the side before he could. His mouth touched h

ppened to be som

shru

et this over with and leave with the money. The money

e t

ent, please? I'm exhausted

"Don't mess things up, Emily.

between them to catch her breath. She hoped to the forces

along,

ollowed him, and the door closed behind her with a t

er sides, crossing the partition wit

world she had vowed n