, gliding a lipstick over her lips. Beside her, S

he pho

the sight of her mother's

om

the other end mad

evicted... fro

t. "What? Mom,

c. "I was robbed last night, and my landl

eathe. Just hold on, okay? I'll

" her mom whisper

ne. She needed to act fast, and there was only one person who c

tha noticed the shift in h

grabbing her purse. "I

ression darkened. "That guy is a

e knew Derr

as interested in her, but because he wanted to own her. She had cut

d, her voice breaking. "I can't

temple. "I hate this. You know he's

ned. "I know. Bu

d the car keys off the nightstand. "Let's go. But I

***

cheap cologne hit her like a thick wave. Papers cluttered his desk in

racked and peeling-just like h

ed back with a slow smirk, hi

decided to visit," he drawled.

. Five thousand dollars

ve grand? And here I t

teeth. "Can yo

r, pretending to think about it. "

t back. Wit

a. after ignoring me all these years, you s

her spine. "You humiliated me at the

doing busin

, then exhaled heavily, shaking

picked up two envelopes an

f you're late on payments, d

er relief tinged with unease. "I'll

but his voice follo

er, more insidious. "There can still be a little bi

n't stop or

**

tha asked the moment

full amount

e is roughly two hours away. You might not make it b

lways res

, you're supposed to blend into your role. Carry

repare herself to carry out tonight's assign

******

ised. The car ride was light, filled with easy conversatio

o her, his gaze soft with warmth. "I had a great t

faintly.

air that wasn't quite accidental. He leaned in slightly, close enough fo

disruptive. Angelo pulled back

check that,"

e, relieved by the inte

nd through his hair

cond, pressing a hand to her fore

she reached for the door, a movement behind the curtains m

**

ed her like an icy dagger

tened. "Um.

He glanced at his watch. "You'

" she replied, l

Have my coffee ready and

ulse quickening. Thi

her heart pounding. She needed to stay calm. This was just a routine he love

e into the mug. It was clear, odorless, and taste

as Zac. His shadow filled the

ping closer, his voice smoother t

vements as he reached for th

ither." His lips curl

expression. "Glad

t her, his sharp gaze pressing in like he was peelin

. "I must be more t

his hand. She didn't allow herself to

e house, slower than usual, gathering his files. I

s wor

o this right

inutes. When she was sure

ss of water in hand. The rest of the staff had gone to bed

his bedroom, she noticed

nightstand. Zac was sprawled on the bed, one arm resting

pletely kn

Zac's bedroom was spotless and minim

oom and his study were the only p

so open, and she stepped insi

nto the brown leather

o be it, s

acks of papers, some marked with confidential stamps. She reached

rd a faint creak

omach

he doorway before

it was too late. A hand shot out, strong fin

was calm, smooth-but there wa

tightened as

was calm, but the threat

, her mind scrambling for a

dipped lower, quieter

second, his expression shifted. She caught the fain

ou are. So tell me the

He wasn't just g