ra's kitchen counter l

hing from the other room. A single candle flickered on the table, casting long shadows on

contract twice. T

ppearances. Photos. Public dinners. Re

housand

debts, and get Layla into th

ling with the weight of the decision. She wasn't naive. She knew deals like this didn't come without consequenc

He hadn't begged. He had simply laid the deal on the

the number printed in gold ink

n't ri

a deep voice an

ened. "I... I re

nd

ed. "I have

sk

a model. Someone with a

was a

uld look at me like you

t skippe

t's a compliment,

plied. "But it me

s anothe

onight. 7 p.m. Don't bring anything

line we

seen wealth l

d by men in dark suits with earpieces. Beyond the gates, a private driveway curled through a manicured ga

ted her inside

e floors, gold trim, a chandelier the size of her old Honda

d red lipstick approached

r. Blackwood'

dded ne

," Elise said, her eyes sharp.

reflection in the mirror. She had tried to dress neatly - a simple navy dress and her only

ed, Damien was alre

eeves rolled, no tie, hands in his pockets

as if he hadn't dou

rd cautiously. "I

u w

dence was

. "Tell me again why

And the press is digging too close. If I don't distract th

I'm the perfe

rning around. "I think y

whether to be ins

. A gala. Black tie. I'll introduce you as my companion.

art po

I embarr

er, unblinking

ask how he

sheets, a walk-in closet, and a view of the city skyline - Zara

as she signed her

as d

the hidden mistress

e knew this wasn'

n had s

ter... they woul