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s Collins," my landlord snapped the

ries in one hand, my pride in the ot

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e trembling. "Please, Mr. Denve

usting smirk. "Maybe we can w

cery bag. "What d

ice echoed through the corri

sai

th tu

Cross

t tailored dominance walking

backed off

flicked to m

I hated that he

t need

id, voice low. "But it's ge

-

Lucie

wanted to scream and

h someone more than I wanted

roject," she said once we

eye. "You're not. But I

cted it. "Let me guess. Th

I slipped the envelope fr

t it like it

e with me. No sex. No emotional obl

in re

end to be my wife. P

pped. "Are

ontract. "But I'm offering

-

Aria

at the

us. Dead ser

?" I wh

ause I trust you n

nked.

ly the safest way to kee

nd walked away. No

dn't tea

red me more

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was hidin

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pi

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would you do if a billionaire ask

hit the

ded. "E

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Lucie

x eyed me warily. "You

ring her

lating her wit

can s

on't. You

, fingers tightening ar

needs

nd what do you

no a

ybe I need

-

thor'

esperation and sur

acing, past crumbling, and future dangling in L

e could chan

a rescue

tell... and the