Ashle

hausted, paranoid, reading malice into words that could mean anything. Maybe sh

confused: "Mother, what was all t

cared woman signs faster than a cornered one. But she's more stubborn than I thought. The original agreem

ped br

e Montgomery shares before she ever touches them. That's what I've been working on while you two wer

uiet for a beat

f him?" Sharon's voice dripped with contempt. "L

lf on the banister, swallowing th

e, the hand on mine-a performance, step by step, des

hit the wall, a soft thud

my head still throbbed under the bandage, but I

an, they'd get one. But fir

s, one hand on the rail

hen they saw me, Sharon's face flickered-brief surprise,

dy closing the door on whatever act she'd b

ough." My voice came out steady, stead

he way a collector studies a cracked

re's no point in f

ways a poin

a year like a ghost no one invited. And now you want to fight?" She crossed her arms, her rings catching the light. "With what? You h

ose fault is that? Who drugged me? Who staged tho

ted. "We've be

he room," I cut him off. "

e's here because his son's name is being dragged through

them. "He asked me what happened. He listened. That's

se that's what men like Arthur do when they're deciding how much

could smell her perfume-something shar

asset in your name. You will forfeit your claim to Montgomery Holdings. And you will

if I

sideboard, picked up a folder, and tos

re to the coast. And your mother's name-the name you've been clinging to like a littl

left m

at the folder. "Go on. See what

y legs felt bolt

er with ties to half the underworld in this state. She changed her name,

true." My vo

d. "I've had this file for years. I could have ruined her while she was still alive. But I didn't. You k

ught I saw something flicker behind his eyes-guilt, maybe, or just discom

o leave. And you're never going to speak the name Mann again. Or I will personally mak

e folder. I co

she was when I was small, tucking me into bed, humming a song I couldn't remember the words to

t built

monster,"

back, smoothing her dress. "Sig

N

even decided to say it. But once

cracked, just sli

eaten my mother. You can take every penny I have. But I will

went ve

ced on me, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "You are nothing. A convenient little placeholder who outl

r hand as if

heavy front d

eyes took in the scene in an instant-my disheveled state, the f

through the room l

going o