ynn S

ame felt like a snake coiling a

ct ti

the rage that threatened to erupt. She compose

tremble. She needed to see her. Needed to see the face of her "b

n swept in, a vision in a white sundress

hands. Her eyes were already welling up with practiced tears. "I heard Mr. S

ed silently, a bitter, cold sound in her mind. Th

inst her, her body "trembling." "I'm so

righteous indignation. "He's a control freak!

conspiratorial whisper. "Listen to me, I've already talked to Ethan. We're working o

wanted to applaud the perfect recitation

himmering with tears, a carefully crafted hop

andon you!" Katelynn vowed, her eyes darting aro

envy and greed

ast bit of warmth in h

details of her "rescue plan," the grand doors

re sweater and trousers. The loss of blood had left his face pale, w

aze, sharp as shards of glass

ed, replaced by a flash of panic and unease. She scramb

r. I was just worr

wasn't a look of anger or annoyance. It was the look on

magazines, a titan of finance, remote and untouchable. Up close, his presence was suffocating. He was taller, more imposing, a da

for Aria's money. It was for the fact that a man this

but carrying the weight of an unbreakable comma

nd coming to rest on her shoulde

She fought the urge to flinch, instead leani

ze shifted back to Katelynn

flooded Katelynn's face, a humiliating patc

that was more of a grimace. "Well... Ari

cally fled