the lock echoed in

tood up. He planted both hands flat on his d

on the intercom button. "

ther tote bag, pulled out a fresh copy of the di

Alondra said coldly. "Lel

hade of red. His jaw muscles ticke

ame cast a shadow over her. He stepped into her personal

d have shrunk back. Her h

. She tilted her chin up and met

harsh, mocking laugh. "This is getting pathetic, Alondra

ing over the edge of the document,

gainst the center of the paper, pinning it to the wo

t, her eyes filled with r

low. His eyes widened slightly. His p

st. His fingers dug into her skin, sq

sed, his face inches from hers

ith her free hand, she snatched the heavy Montblanc pen from his desk

voice dripping with venom, "then sign it. Cut me

hest heaved. The mention of Cecil and t

her arm back. He felt his authority

ard snarled, his eyes burning wit

slashed his signature across the bottom line. He pressed so hard the

igned paper ba

Ten AM. Don't be

n at his messy, angry signature. A genui

den, cold spike of panic hit

treating it like a winning lotter

door. She unlocked it and walked o

re she had just been. He grabbed the heavy crystal ashtray off his