muttered, almost

as the only one who got any special treatment from him. H

aniel for that burn cream, even throwing in th

t sitting there, not being used. Of c

and concern. "Just watch your step, okay? You know how Liam

huff last night, she found out the cream wasn't some reg

underpaid him, remembering him once

wasn't about to use it or try paying

u've got to get out of there. Your dad's been picked up by those loan s

Robert was trying to dump

d getting home, she had warned Robert: Touch

atter if Robert comes back missing an arm, a leg, or not at all, they won't

lotte mustered her courage an

er Robert would surely resort to his c

... and get o

m really give

the eyes. "Mr. Parker, could yo

chair, his expressi

d, "Is money all you ev

lips remai

ed, his gaze pier

blown all his money again and turned to yo

eyes, her eyelashes

ounter Liam'

no right

d as if kissed by a drop of de

oo

her lips, now glistening as th

million the other day? Has Robe

anaged to say, "It's not for

oses four hundred thousand, and you come asking me

How did Liam know about Robert's four hun

want it, a lot o

have plenty of money, but can yo

nt of his desk. Her knees bent a few times as she wrestled with he

subtle shift in the air

bled as she reached ou

spent years behind the cash register at the local supermarket, scrimping and saving every penny t

rtune was a distant dream – even four hundred thousand seemed like a sta

ed bewitched in Charlotte's shaky grasp. Like a spell t

eyes dark pools of enigma. "Do you really think this is what

n line, Charlotte steeled her ne

a frigid rebuke, "This is a place of business, Mi

o easily. Keep trying," he declared

tte felt her pride and dignity trampled underfoot, g

ome tea," she stammered

the point of shattering the glass in his g

ome supermarket's buy-

he set the cup down gently, hammering hi

ice crackled through the phone

r mother, save your father. If anyth

ive without him, perhaps you should join him," she said, hanging up and stari

shielded Charlotte from Robert's drunken rag

up hidden savings to buy her a burg

aria's frailty, Charlotte could

could just get the money, she'd

t return by te

o private contact, Cha

the morning, the sound

sening his tie, h

n the table seemed to mock him. "You reall

elp him out of his jacket, her hands warm a

be exhausted after such a long evening. I ma

under her touch, his voice

fter? You know I can g

before she resumed her task nonc

million, and only afte

She feared that anything more might t

ed, sudden

Charlotte against him and pin

d wood. She arched her back, he

she wh

amed under her skirt without

thmically wit

y, Go

way she cal

rip tightening around her w

ened with desi

to get you to do this? Would you