ensing the shift in the atmosphere. When Aliana announced they would be moving to a new home, a

d her head, his large hand gentle. He looke

e. It was time t

an IOU for seventy-five thousand dollars, detailing a repayment plan that was wildly opti

ling, I'll begin making payments

ke. "The money. I don't keep that kind of cash in my checking account-I'm an assistant, remember? But my boss has authorized a company

ny sign of deception. "Your boss just...

or years. This is a personal favor, not a business transaction. He knows I'll pay it back." He met her gaz

an assistant's supposed salary-that would have been impossible to believe. A company cashier's c

iate crisis wa

watch. "City Hall closes

elief vanished, replaced by a n

y n

. "My birth certificate, my Social Security

etting a marriage license without th

edict's eyes. He gently set Mila

tremor in her voice. "He won't just

im light from the window. His presence was a solid, unshakeable wall

She looked up at him, at this stranger who was about to become her husband, and for the

felt

ions to keep the door locked and

e dress-modest, clean-lined, nothing flashy. Something she could wear to City Hall. Something that wasn't the torn remains of last night.

hing the rundown neighborhood give way to manicured lawns and sprawling hous

the car radio, tuning it to a station playing soft, instrumental jazz. The

u," she w

, his eyes fix

rsche was still parked in the driveway, a blatant declaration of her new pos

eath and reached f

steady. "Remember," he said, his dark eyes boring into hers. "You a

the unexpected solidarity. She nodded,

Aliana pressed the doorbell, the shril

silk robe, a smug, mocking smile on his face. "Well,

between his brows, a nagging sense of familiarity he couldn't quite place. He had only seen the investor briefly, in the dim light of the Grand Hotel lobby, a

is. Jairo's arrogance would never let him believe the powerful investor he'd groveled to could be standing here in