icked shut behind them, mut

intings of past King family members. The dark, brooding colors of the

's fingers, her small

f safety. They reached the end of the hall and p

e cigar smoke. Sterling was already seated behind a ma

her heels digging aggressively into the plush c

d carefully between the desk and the door. She sat down, pulling Serena saf

mirk playing on her lips. "You know, Ermina," Sloane mused, taking a slow sip, "if you keep glaring at the girl like that

d another folder down. "She needs to sign a non-disclosure agreement. A stri

der. She kept her hands restin

King family has something ugly to hide," Hazel stated plainly.

has a point, Ermina. Your public relations

contribute nothing to this family but credit card bills,

their voices bouncing harshl

e wrinkles in Serena's cotton dress, completely tu

he room. Sterling had slammed h

to Hazel. "There are fifty paparazzi swarming the

s were bright and entire

zel said. "We give

desperate, passionate mistake. I am the naive woman who fell too hard; Karson is the man stepping up to take responsibilit

d tears or demands for money, not a calculated, high-level Wall Str

e shrill. "If she messes up in front of the camer

a dead stare. "And letting Karson look like a c

ng in the air,

harp movement. "The conservative ap

azel in a silent, mocking toast.

so deeply into her palms that the skin turned white, b

n the corner chimed loudly. It

as still

, his brow furrowing in irritation. "C

e and held it to Serena's lips. Her hands were perfectly ste

rs

t life slithered up her spine like a snake. He had tr

ig eyes looking up at Hazel. "Are we going to see my new

r voice was soft, but her eyes hardened into steel

ing against the gravel driveway

bowed slightly. "Mr. Karson's car h

room instantl

her lungs to capacity. She stood

ng corridor toward the massive front doors, stepping out in