our Upper East Side house. My heels clicked like gunshots against the marble floor. The

uttoned, hair a mess, phone glued to his ear

u been Erica?" he snapp

d evening to yo

t means? The investors are demanding their money back, the staff are qu

? What fraud? He's been drinking whiskey and sa

he signed a loan deal using fake collateral. One of

y stomach droppe

e you couldn't seal the deal with Nathan. I mean, weren't you two all cozy in college?

sharp breath

n, or your body-I don't care. If anything happens to Dad, it's on you.

landed l

n that Adrian,

fed. "D

force-again. I was seventeen when Mom died. I snuck out to a concert, thinking I was clever. Got drunk, got

now

banks, reached out to board me

y face-metaphorica

hing my phone like it held the meaning of life. There was on

I

th

e third ring. "Ch

aid, voice low. "P

No words. Just a pin dr

cou

-

I thought was a fancy undergr

o

ly not a

the velvet ropes, mood lighting, and the man in

sipping something golden from a low-ball glass. He loo

ready regretting every

aste in meeting pl

e-over. "I have odd t

sa

ly. "The marriage deal.

is drink. "

t even been twe

tanding," he said co

idn't even say no. I

sweetheart. And

y temper in check. "What do I have to

ke a cat playing with its food.

or me, b

ked.

pole. Show me how much you

re in

t's simple. You want me to invest in a burning dumpst

wirling like a goddess, people clapping, laughing, drinking champagn

s humiliatio

l. My company was dying.

too

ked. "You're actual

d, walking toward the stage. My h

ripped on my heels, and grabbed

jazzy beat that made my mov

ed to

il

d ag

l fa

st started swinging around like

I didn't need to look. Nathan w

e?" he c

twirl, panting

lked over, and

e're getting

-

own, cheeks burning. "Was that

form. No rhythm. But 1

o.

e. Six months. My rule

led. "

nst mine. "Welcome to hel