Married for Revenge

grown used to. She sat alone in a worn vinyl chair, her hands trembling around a clipboard. The bill in front of he

,450

clim

n his bed, wires drawn out of his chest, an oxygen tube in his nose. The machines beep

left of her 401$. Called every distant relativ

at pocket jolted her. She pulled it

" she w

ped, emotionless. "We've sent three formal warnings. Due to your ongoing absences

My father's in critical condi

this is not negotia

ne clic

. She didn't even blink. Her livelihood was gone. Her father's bills weren't paid. Her

Dusk seeped through windows that ran floor to ceiling, casting shadows across his angular face.

rivate investigator ha

trative assistant (presently fired). Cur

name of her father. Daniel Grant. The man who had c

ody pulled from the wreckage. Alexander had been fifteen. Daniel Grant h

er had walked

Isla-was on the brink of poverty. This was th

private. Tell them to speak to the manager. Get them to

ton," came th

and fussed with his cuffli

of Eden Bistro. Isla tied her apron tightly around her waist, pulling he

t the staff entrance, arms c

orry-m

't fill in for you tonight. We have a VIP

"Me? That's

lm of her hand. "Table 7. And for

This job-her sole remaining sourc

skirting close-clumped tables and mu

l-colored suit hugged his broad shoulders. His black hair was slicked back, and a heavy gol

look up as s

be waiting for you toni

le of Château Laf

"That's not som

You'll see it," he command

as something about him that flustered her. Like he knew

h the bottle clutched in her hand. She set it

ly glanced at

ng her shaking hands wouldn't screw up

have you w

ed up. "T

fact was a statistic

ing two jobs. Running back and forth to

spilled. A dark red splatter

I'm so sorry

"Mr. Milton, we apologize deeply.

ccident," sh

came icy. "I sa

Swallowing her humi

er lap twice. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. Things were slipp

er. Tony emerged, massag

t. He made it clear he didn't want y

racked. "So

ence wa

tood on legs that

alked toward the hospital, hands shoved deep in

y thing she had left was hope-and

ospital just as a black sports car stop

t i

was behind the steering wheel,

e fired,"

't blin

hy

nce rock bottom before you'l

nt anything

and pulled out a gold-trimmed

or everything-your father's treatment, the debts, even a monthl

dn't t

ot for

orward. "Yo

fury and confusion.

owes me something that cannot ever be

man who held her future in

closed the folder and place

ed. But not too much. You

door had closed,

. Shivering. Holding a contract that