a's

burned from the force of his grip-l

his back as he walked awa

t... left? What the

away by his bodyguards, maybe even a desperate scuffle u

g. Nothing. Just left hi

liar, like something I sho

a

ds grabbed my arms, hauling me inside like

our damn mind? Do you e

bling. "Kane Wolfe! The CEO of ATTA Group!

's faces an unhealthy shade of gray. It buzzed overhead

id I notice the crescent-shaped welts in my pal

zo snapped a photo of hi

huddered. I stared down at my trembling fingers.

ime my phone vibrated, my heart skipped a beat. Every time a b

ls when a predator has them in its

e days passed... an

my routine, hawking liquor, bou

everything had gone down. I kept waiting-for s

o one

had never happened. Like a bad

l to

what it meant to be

Neon Pulse, ready to pitch our products. My bag slung ov

allway. His tie hung loose around his neck, sweat beading at his te

I called. "Eve

conflict and exhaustion. It to

n't come he

d. "Sorr

voice flat. "The boss said you're banned from selling liquor he

tled in my chest.

muttered under his

eath

ed a white envelope from his pocket and pressed it into my hand. Hi

whitened aro

way-to corner me quietly, ruthlessly. On

't ready t

breathe, then I c

ll to bars, I'd

ne who might take a chance on Oak, our small, unheard-of brand. We d

that would

was

ter, the rea

d, sneered, or tossed my broc

e back," t

lers weren't

rvice rep said. "It's out of

Then another.

inbox filled with

able to proceed with your

ngle bot

lapse. I locked myself inside the storeroo

n my face, silent

coworkers murmuring

re so many r

ouse is ov

because of

wrong. This

e mess, then I h

*

just before dawn,

lding, its glass facade gleaming in the ear

those doors in heels and a tailored

something else. N

beg for a chan

breath, I walke

as I approached. "Good morning, m

head. "No. But... he knows me. Y

r a form. "Understood. Just a moment. For security purpo

My mind scrambled for answers-busin

t want the

e that left no

forced a smile,

ept to