na Beau

acts, to get my "proposal" delivered. We agreed to meet at Whisperin

diversion, slipping past the servant assigned to watch me and climbing the wall in

as disguised in a wide-brimmed hat and large sunglasses, but

stirred her latte, the spoon clinking against the ceramic. "A man of

my palms slick with sweat. "I don't kn

one chipping away at my hope

p, the café door opened, the

silhouetted against the afternoon light, but I knew him in

ideon Mo

r coffee. The entire café seemed to h

then, as if by chance,

us. Each step landed like

down at me. His voice was a low

removing my sunglasses. My

as if we were old friends with a scheduled appo

aid, getting straight to the point. He pla

ne under the table, h

unreadable. "The terms are clear, the objectives

?" I forced myself to ask,

liberate rhythm on the tabletop. Each

forward slightly, those deep

agr

? No negotiation, no

tracts. Bring your identification," he add

g arrived yet. "I have another meeting

nd me staring at each other, as if

rned to the Sterling estate. I had do

room, but to a living room filled with my own perso

ivid. "Where were y

alk," I answ

r a walk? Do you have any idea what it cost us to bail

the picture of a wronged woman. "Sister, I know you ha

When you two were all over each other on a hot

tore away their

!" Julian's face flu

na, I order you to apologize to Julian and Isabelle immediately! Then, get r

h deliberate, icy precision. "I'm afraid I'll have to disapp

longer be someone the Sterling

the air for a beat before

ll soon be Mr