Ashle

he wooden banister until

no longer the soft, comforting tone she had used with me on the sof

replied, sounding confused. "Holding her hand?

. "Don't be an idiot, Jefferson. Th

A scared, grieving woman signs faster than a cornered one. I was trying to

t do we

ank accounts, and she forfeits the Montgomery shares. When we are done,

I caught my breath, my chest burning wi

theatrical performance designed to make me slit my

g only a hard, burning resolve in my veins. If they wan

walked down the stairs, eac

's face flickered with brief surprise, but the mask of the loving mother-in-law

eerily steady. "You said the agreement

a board. She didn't even try to deny it. "Then you know

rd. I glared at Jefferson. "And I'm not playing the villain i

w clenching. "You don't kno

t the hotel, Jefferson!" I raised my voice, the r

e camera angles were. You two drugged me, threw me in that bed, and

opened, but no words came out. The golden boy of hockey was

ween us like a shield. She crossed her ar

is going to believe you? The whole world t

orchestrated

ney. No friends. No evidence. The only reason you're not in the gutter right

ed up a thick manila folder, and slamm

lethal whisper. "You will sign over every asset. You will forfeit your cl

challenged, my hands

n this folder goes to every tabloid in the city. Go on.

darted to the folder. "Wh

ghter of a criminal," Sharon hissed,

your father into marrying a lie. I have the birth certificates. I have the photos. If you don't si

mother? The gentle, eleg

whispered, shaking m

ped, taking a step closer. She raised he

avy oak front doors swung o

osing presence fi

n. My fath

ic scene in an instant-the folder on the tab

hrough the room lik

ell is goin