SUBSTITUTE RUNAWAY FINANCE

of the dining room. Her fingers were red, her knees sore, but she did

psister was getting her regular massage and facial

through the silence. "You missed a sp

never did. Talking back

nd her neck...the only thing left from her mother.

atching me, please

r answered. And no

the bed with Reese, her dau

ised an eyebrow. "A one-night ex

read the l

evening. No cameras. No publicity. A sealed

ut his name. Probably some rich, bald freak with a big be

l, we need this partnership, darling. It could

You're not saying I sh

eyes gleaming. "We'l

aw droppe

e body as you. We'll clean her up, put some makeup on, and no one will know the diff

Ember stood frozen i

ognize the gir

ys pale and tired, was glowing with layers of makeup. The r

she whispered. "What is th

t act stupid. You're going to a

t under

l

cheek

word, if you ruin this deal, I'll throw you out ont

ed, grinning. "Try not to cry too m

iver didn't speak. The city lights blurred past the windo

assive, with golden lights and soft mus

oor, echoing like gunshots. Her chest was tight. She d

e music

tst

r fr

ndow. Tall. Broad shoulders. Black suit. H

locked

old. Too

pped br

eese Hale," h

ed. "I... I nev

walking t

a predator who al

rmured, voice low and dangero

ack, her voice barely a whisper.

hes from her, tilti

then back up. "Then why are you here in

lease... I don't ev

n, his voic

eagan

fr

hit her l

o one had seen. No media. No public events. A name wh

nish overnight. Another said he bought a

e stood in f

eyes that s

the wide glass window overlooking the city. The

at her when h

now. Too quiet. "Because her mother ruined something that belonge

t weak. Her lips

d slowly. "But inste

hand in his pocket, the other

the dress,

lease, don't... I d

coldly. "But we both walked

hest tightening. "You

. "I understand that you're desperate. You thi

dropped

ouched... why didn't you ru

d no a

e part of her was still standing there..

with one finger.

ut now that you're h

to something dark,

burn just

chilled her more than the cold

for pleasure. You were