EN'S

ave a young lady of strength and determinat

aze sweeping the room. She was tall, confident, and carr

to start!" the ce

n," someo

wen

th interest, the bi

hir

adly. "Thirty thousand goi

stage with the same calm de

murmur as several young women

on erupted near the side of the stage. A young woman w

her, and she quickly straighten

The girl from earlier-the one

sides of her dress as though it could anchor her. Unlike the others, sh

overing. "A surprise addition, gentlemen! Young, untouched,

or a moment, then buzz

bidding at Umm..

-five th

a confident voic

ort

y thou

numbers being thrown around, her ga

my own voice. "H

urned toward me. I kept my expres

visibly surprised. "Hundred thousand going onc

e podium, and a hush

eyes again as she wa

loosening the collar of my shirt as I headed for my

I'll driv

itated.

t myself," I said fla

ed away from the estate, heading toward a more private part

hell did

t? Why the fuck would I wast

... D

THOUSAND ON

he wheel tighter. It didn't ma

ve to pay my money back

t at the usual spot, swirling a glass of whiskey between his fin

late," he

. "Did you fin

ng the glass down. "Not

supposed to be at the ceremony. Did yo

of criminals, Damien. Eve

arcasm. My fingers drummed agai

e who sent it. No fingerprints, no trace. But whoever

d countless threats before, but this

my voice cold. "I want to know wh

ing for me. "They won't

hoever had sent that parcel had made a

in, but before he could take anoth

money?"

"You're really chasing that down now?" he aske

a smile and a sneer. "Of course I don't need it. I have

d, shaking his h

shift in their eyes... the way they beg for time, offer up everything just to delay t

ression darkening with amusem

d," I sai

ment before clearing his throat. "Wel

ised

inesses, some estates... a couple of prize

a slow n

ster is still not making an attempt to

se me-but it stirred som

's he been

ised you let him live peaceful

uietly. "Tha

said, glancing toward the bar. "Won't answer call

stew in fear. Let him start

brow. "You want me

panic. Let him lose sleep. The best part is