The gold digger

om the intoxicating heat of Adrian's presence. Her pulse was still racing, her lips tingling from hi

ate, and leave behind once she'd secured what she wanted. But the way he looked at her, the way he kissed her-it wasn't j

colded herself silently. This is what you wanted. She couldn't aff

r. The noise and bright lights enveloped her like a protective shield, pulling her back into the r

hone buzzing on the table. The screen lit up with a n

cked it up, sliding her thumb across the screen

. There was a note of amusement there, but she could hea

elf to smile as though he cou

ne light but laced with an unspoken threat. "I saw you lea

though her fingers tightened aro

" Ethan warned. "He's sharper.

though her heart skipped a beat at his words.

Ethan shot back. "We had a deal, Li

n the heat of the moment with Adrian, why she was really here. It wasn't just for the mo

en," she said, her

hen he added, "Just don't let him get un

augh. "Adrian Blackwood is just anoth

Ethan said, and t

ke he owned her, like she was just a pawn in his game. But he was right. She had to remember what was at sta

er like a slap as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. Rain drizzled down, the droplets glittering u

curb. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Adrian's driver-a tal

voice polite but firm. "Mr. Blackwo

ebrow, caught off

replied, stepping out to

t there was no sign of him. He was already three steps ahead, as always. He hadn't just dismissed her-he'd made sure s

e told herself sternly

ather as the driver closed the door behind her. The car pulled aw

tting herself get tangled up in Adrian's web. But something about him drew her in, made he

hen the car came to a stop in front of her building. The

e sidewalk. She glanced up at her apartment-a modest

ed everything. She had planned to seduce Adrian, to use him, to get what she want

stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, her heels clicking softly on the worn carpet. As she

was watc

s empty, the lights flickering overhead. But the feeling

, quickly shutting it behind her. She pressed her back against

t, Lila," she mu

out at the street below. The rain had picked up, coming down in sheets

the kitchen. She needed a drink. Something strong

phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text messa

as from an un

it? You looked b

roat. Her fingers trembled

is t

came almos

nd, Lila. S

er it was, they had been watching her tonight. Watc

no coincidence. It was a warning-a reminder that she was

nger sure who the