CONTRACT BRIDE FOR THE DEVIL

a's

t this once...

kimmed my resume with zero enthusiasm. "You ap

palms clutched tight to my file. "Yes

e. "It's just-our receptionists have to maintain

t.

it w

voice even. "I'm more than c

ying smile again. "

r another file-alr

I needed this job. "Please

xhausting him. "We do have openings in ja

rt dro

tori

sit at a damn desk but maybe, just

set down th

up, humi

ing to ease my rage. I needed Luka, my

s around me, tell me I was amazing. I'd melt

ich, but he came from money. He liked to pretend he struggl

of the elevator, needing t

, the door w

lled, steppi

ick with the scent of wine and

choed from t

roz

o, no

t. My feet carried me for

bedr

lf open. I pus

ere he

On top of ano

, a lazy smirk on her lip

hie

nd from

ld me not to

tely unfazed. "Shit. You wer

eathe. My who

looking more annoyed than guilty. "Look,

a bi

ision blurring. "We've be

le. "And it was nice. But let's be real, Maria

ed. "A

d. "That's an u

her. "Shut t

cence. "Hey, don't be mad at me.

u not?" He looked at

ng babe me y

t you're-how do I put this nicely?-a goddamn charity cas

hit like

back, ear

gusting," I

ed and

he do th

king years. And thi

aming down my face. I wanted to scream.

o money.

w, no

ds. Susan. My only friend. She'd know w

rang onc

ght to voi

f despair cras

d bridge. The river below was dark and endles

years a

inner. It was one of those rare nights when everything felt

e that, they

untouchable Walkers-had lost their lives in the accident. And my parents

e. Alone an

his bridge, my head sp

breath hitching. My fingers

AR

r face pale with panic. Her chest rising and falling rapidly. Ha

houted, skidding to a stop just a few

Sue." My voice was hoarse

autious step forward, her hands slowly lifti

er's going on, we'll figure it out. But not like this."

ep telling myself that everything will be fine. I keep hoping-but things just

my eyes shut, trying to pus

e inched closer. "On

ted and

mbled as they met hers. Susan grasped my hand tightly, her

th

t slip

nce. My other hand shot out, trying to grab somet

led her forward. Her grip tightened for a split

th

d slipp

rld ti

hroat as I plunged back