BROKEN BY TRUTH

a's

take for you to wa

ierced through the whirl of music and laughing surroun

uisite black suit slumped against the bar. Not quite yet. His acute blue eyes locked on the man who had b

red, his cheeks paling. "Thi

gry. "Or the next time you make a deal under m

eaving me in the crosshairs of the predator alone. Adrian gazed at

. "You seem like a woman who is in the i

se racing. "I was just about

It went very shortly, replaced wit

ing a step closer. "Most people

t most

voice falling to a dead

iled about me like smoke. I'd come here to save my job, not

e," I muttered, str

d, warm and firm, descended on

ai

hrill through me just the same. I swu

releasing me. "Consider it payme

ask for

om making a mistake, didn't I? That man was about

ched. How did

" I snapped, more def

Then tell me, Ms. Monroe, what exactly were you planning

but no words emerged. He

his voice quieter now, almost...gentle? N

om me?" I queried ag

simply, stepping back. "One that

what problem do

e enough to take a deal from a man you didn't trust. Desperate enoug

I disliked how acc

Kane, one of the richest men in this city. What

ch his eyes. "More than you think

gainst the marble floor. Adrian didn't say a word until we were seated

en saying about me lately?" he rem

though I'd heard whispers. Scandal. Corr

sk to my own kingdom. Investors are pulling out. Competitors are circling

hat have to

ine, "are going to help me rehabilitate m

n the air, weigh

ttered, leaning fo

least. A mutually advantageous deal. I help you rehab

answered, standin

ou've ever wished for, Lila. Security. Success. Freedom from the kind of me

in re

. Financially. Professionally. You

ive. But I couldn't dismiss the sensat

asked, cross

Because you're not like the others. You're re

acking away. "I do

yet. But think about this, Lila: when was the last time s

dn't a

alm. "If you say no, you'll never hear from me again. But if you say ye

ts sticking in my mind. The card burned in my hand as I went

hazardous. This was...everyt

from the alleyway. My breath hitched as a stranger mov

said, low and scary. "Stay away fro

leaving me alone in the rain with a choice I w