of spilled bourbon and old regrets. It was the perfect place to disappear. Hayley was

t her. "...must be legally married on the date of disbursement..." A digi

but the coat fit his broad shoulders perfectly, a detail that spoke of qui

with lime," he t

hat seemed to take in everything without moving. He looked... calm. Stable. And, fro

ng only a core of cold, hard desperation. She pick

you s

t of a smile touched the corner of his mouth. He didn't

ing else," she said, her voi

ud in the momentary silence between songs. "That depen

her blunt. "It's a busines

sounds more serious than a typical business deal," he said, his tone laced with a dr

a rush. He saw right throu

ntract. Generous compensation. No strings, no expectati

pulled out a simple, cream-colored business car

ales Associate.

ce a low, smooth baritone. "My rent

fect. They were from the same world-the world of people who worked for a living, who understood tra

on't interfere in each other's private lives. We present a united f

eyes searching hers. "

ur rent for a lot l

he bar. "City Hall closes in a

red against her ribs

a genuine smile finally breaking through. He stood,

her blouse no match for the cold. Without a word, Kieran shrugged off his trench coat and drape

ight stopped traffic, and a familiar, guttural engin

ind the wheel, his face a mask of disbelief.

enough to cut glass. "Looks like someone d

, ignoring the blaring horns behind him, and shoved his doo

ers digging into the flesh above