na
to soothe the frantic energy buzzing under my skin. I leaned my head against the cool l
ace a mask of cloying concern. "Fiona, darling, are you
ape on my cheek, letting out an exaggerated hiss of pain.
ed. "What, then?
forgive you?" I asked, my voice dripping with disdain. "Fine. We'r
re. And he knew what I was talking about
phone and held it up, my thumb hovering over my father's contact. "Or I
him. The Sterling Futures contract. He couldn
my phone. "Alright! Okay!" he bit out, his smile a
him a triumphant, bratty smile. "Driver," I comma
inst a different clock. My father, Arthur, was a man of habit. He would be in his study at 9:00 PM sharp to sign th
the gleaming facade of Vanguard Jewelers. Even at this hour, the store
oor. I swept past him, my torn, muddy dress a stark contrast to the
z, but his gaze was immediately drawn to me,
black velvet, was the reason we were here: a brooch in the shape of a peacock, its tail
ry that on,"
guidance. "Miss, that is the 'Star of the
I can't afford
weat. "Fiona, darling, perhaps so
hy patrons in the store turned to stare. "Is that what my life is worth to you? Something su
alued his reputation above all else, turned a shade
credit card from his wallet and slammed it down on the glass counter.
e washed through me as I watched his
ng awkwardly by the door. "I'm thirsty," I announced. "I want a non-fat, extra-hot, no-foam l
ooked at Cha
away. He just wanted this ordeal
lders disappearing into the night. My eyes narr
as my
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