as going well.

e in a mid-tier design firm. Mr. Abernathy, a kind-faced man wit

onway. Truly. The kind of fresh p

. This was it. This was the one. She could almost taste the re

ormality, really," Mr. Abernathy said, turning to

clicked his mouse a few times, his pleasant expression d

way, we... we appreciate you coming in. Your work is, as I said, very impres

d happened again. The open door, slammed

et, the hope draining out of her, leaving a hollow ache in its pla

e days late, Rory. Followed by another from the pharmacy

ing, a tightening in her ches

her best friend and the one person w

a welcome warmth. "You so

hick. "It was a yes, Tierney. It was a ye

idn't want to tell you, didn't want to believe it. But my cousin who works in H

ed walking

it. Someone with a lot of power, a lot of reach, is ma

deliberate, systematic attack. And she knew, with a certain

? Like, right now?" Tierne

pera

well. In cash. No questions, no background checks." Tierney took a breath.

nd in college, a passion she'd long since buried. But singing in a smoky cl

y, I ca

re all Wall Street types with more money than sense. The tips alone a

ed, panicked thoughts into a single point of focus. Her prid

all of her small chest. She looked at the stack of bills on her ni

was a shrewd man with tired eyes who looked like he'd seen it all. He led her

e sang a simple, heartbreaking ballad, pouring all the f

he silence in the em

able in his eyes. "There's a story in that voice,

ack of hundred-dollar bills, the paper feeling both shameful and life-saving in her hand. She p

she was breath

ile quiet of Vance Industries, M

s been blacklisted from every reputable design

m the document he was sig

a singer. At a private cl

his lips. The Onyx Room. The very place he and his associates

back her into a corner. Instead, she had

the smile turning predato

is contacts. "Julian. Kade. Feel like a drink ton