s hands

o placate the storm in her mind. She had spent most of the night lying and staring at

e told herself that she was str

rned. Her skin crawled at the th

n Br

herself that what had occurred all those years ago hadn't m

e, in the very place she swore she'd neve

ad to

he co

nowher

Of

ed down to an empty stillness. Every step down the dimme

hed the door,

ep b

nched

she kn

me

the same smooth arrogance, the same ca

ntered th

ensive-looking bar cart in the corner. Floor-to-ceiling windows beh

, sleeves rolled up, smiling

he said. "I wasn'

e would not let him see the t

st get th

way from the desk to his

je

e'd been addressed that wa

hell. To get up and never return. But where wou

e had

e

together, studying her.

swer. He alre

ld me all those years back that you'd end up in here, I wouldn't have believe

s dug into her palms

d. "People who ta

forced herself to stay

ve him the answe

, her voice sharp. "I already have

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

. "I'm not interest

o anything. else. I need someone I can trust. Som

laugh. "You think I

d. "I think you don't

it deeper i

ght. And

ly under me. You keep things ticking along, keep the money flowi

looked

slate? F

a little. "And, Mel... if you're worried abo

roat c

pa

. Like it wasn't anythin

him. She wanted to hurt

he co

ill had all o

. Shoved the quive

ant," she said, her voice low a

ression. Amusement? Annoyance? It

d back, looki

"I'd hate for t

the desk. She wanted to walk o

he co

e did the only

no

take t

Welcome to my w

he had sold her