her back still to him. It wa

Giles's voice came from behind her, co

lips. "Oh? Then whose is it? Evelin Sargent's?

ht Evelin into their arguments, as if Elenor's

dow swallowing her. He stared into her eyes. "Don't force me to ke

had been enough to weaken her resolve. Now, she felt nothing

his suit jacket and pulled out an envelope,

onto the polished floor. The first set showed her youn

al men in suits were in a heated argument with he

t. Your father's company has some unresolved tax issues,"

ing an illegal immigrant. Your father faces prison time an

e knew she would break for

ertips were cold, but her hands were steady. She st

soft laugh. It was a sound

think I'm the same girl from three years ago? The one who wo

started, trying to

eek," Elenor cut him off. "It was expedited by Senator

ble political dynasty and a rising national figure with both the ambition and the support to

ey? Why would a man of his stature in

feet, "his tax problems were fabricated three years ago by your good f

f you can get them in prison befor

of power, had just been dismantled with a few quiet sentences. H

e's face, and felt a tremor of genuine fear. It was as if she had grown i

at was dry. He co

him, her presence for the first time completely overwh

rget about your little 'accident' in Dubai last ye

his darkest secret, a scandal that could des

me?" His voice was a low grow

tep back, re-establishing a safe distance. "Sign the agreement, and we part ways cleanly. If you don't,

his shocked and furious face, she turned, dragged her suitca