Aria

d the $500 enve

g through the springs - taunting me every tim

lf not to g

om's medication was running ou

ury car outside the café like a Greek god with a cr

wn the windo

ring when yo

just throw money at

ily in the leather seat. "I

ope into his lap.

yes glinting. "I wanted to see

ms. "Do you alw

d, but serious. "Only wit

That face. That s

s dan

ke you somewhere,"

n't t

He raised an eyeb

id I

w. Maybe I was

-

Lucie

g in my car. T

ith you," she said

That would make

lled h

clusive enough that nobody would recognize her. I didn't w

here to eat," s

money, d

didn't mean to

r. "Let me mak

owed. "What k

t

t despera

othly, sipping my wine. "But firs

ened. Just a

couldn't stop th

never met an

w what I was doing,

-

Aria

at night, I found my best friend Jade pa

she shrieked. "And

y," I said, flop

he gasped. "Yo

t sleep

ou wan

sita

o a pillow. "Wha

. compl

l me everything. Don't you dare fall for some

muttered und

-

Lucie

I said to Max t

'll need to brea

cept help. Sh

ation," Max said. "

y fingers

was form

arriage, a contract, and a

... was the

going to

-

thor'

dangerous game - one even

Ar

between need and pride, bet

n't wait for

en you least