vival. The morning after her arrival at the Alford estate, Azura had forced herself out of the maid's room, her right foot wrapped in thick gauze and medical tape she had scavenge

overdue rent. By the time she returned, the bandages were soaked through with fresh blood, but she had what she needed. Now the wounds were still raw and tender, and she walked with a carefully disguised limp, keeping her weight

ked over carrying two iced Americanos. He slid one ac

back of his neck. "The catering staff posit

closed her textbook. "Marcus, I

t's a 'plus-one' gig. A temporary escort for a single VIP guest who needs a

ediate rejection. She knew exactly what "escort" meant

r optics. The gala has a strict couples-only entry rule. You walk in with him, smile fo

ills for her adoptive mother's physical therapy flashed in her mind

g weight. She swallowed hard. "No touching. If

jacket. "This is the entry pass, and this is a voucher for a couture rental boutique on 5th Avenue. Go get fitted

er textbook and stood up, favoring

ks, M

nounced with every step. As she crossed the tree-lined path near the busine

ura's hip. She threw herself sideways, landing hard on her already mangled right foot. A white-hot spear

its brakes. The driver'

he pulled off her oversized sunglasses, her eyes scanning Azura's muddy sneakers

still reek of the trailer park," Cecelia sneered, her v

shed the dirt off her jeans. She looked Cecelia dead in the eye. "And you can wear all the Chanel

e a physical blow. She marched forward, invading Azura

inger poking Azura's shoulder. "Colby Mcintosh is my fiancé. The Alford fortu

about your garbage fiancé or your arrogant family

thick stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills, and threw them violently at Azur

crowd of students saw. "Take the charity and get out of New

s. They pointed at the rich girl hum

ground. She kept her eyes locked on Cecelia's

houlder hard into Cecelia's collarbone as she pushed past her. The impact nearly buckled her own knee, but she kept moving.

ext e

e stylist had spent two hours transforming her, carefully wrapping her injured foot in a thin, fles

angerously low to expose her smooth spine. Her long, dark hair was pinned up in an elegant twist, exposing h

ouchable stranger. She took a deep, shaky breath, feeling l

kirt and slid into the leather seat, careful not to put pressure on her tender sole. Her palms w

hammered against her ribs. Marcus had made it clear: she would meet the VIP client at the entrance, and they would wal

ent, was pacing back and forth, staring at his tablet and sweating through his su

he evening has been delayed, and I cannot let you through the checkpoint alone. You'll need to wait i