hands were

quiet the storm in her mind. She had spent most of the night staring at the cei

told herself she was strong

rned. Her skin crawled at the th

n Br

ying to convince herself that what happened back then hadn'

t back where she swore she'd never be t

nted t

he co

nowher

Of

educed to a hollow silence. Every step down the dim

hed the door,

ep b

nched

she kn

me

that same smooth arrogance, the same cas

he door open and

pensive bar cart in the corner. Behind the desk, floor-to-ceiling

, sleeves rolled up, smirking like

d. "I have to admit, I

tall. She wouldn't let him see

t get this

the desk and moving to his

flin

anyone called her that.

k out and never look back. But where would s

e had

e

together, studying her.

swer. He alre

me back then that you'd end up here, I wouldn't have believed it. You

g into her palms.

d. "People who ta

forced herself to stay

ive him the rea

her voice sharp. "I already got t

ke. "Because I like to know who's working for me. An

. "I'm not interest

anything... extra. I need someone I can trust. So

laugh. "You think I

"I think you don't ha

ug deeper i

ght. And

tly under me. You keep things running, make sure the money flow

stared

start? F

slightly. "And, Mel... if you're worried about

roat c

pa

ng. Like it wasn't somethi

. She wanted to make him hu

he co

till held al

. Forced the shaki

t," she said, her words slow and