ora

wore a simple black silk dress that skimmed my body, a stark contrast to the glittering jewe

oth. A velvet box from Graff sat on the white tablec

pulling out my chair with a flourish

s even fully seated. "I should have told you.

e. "This is for you. A little som

move to open it. My silence was a

Jessie was an old friend from a troubled past. He was just helping her g

by a youthful error. The child, he claimed, was from h

smile playing on my lips. He was a terrible liar. He a

ll transfer everything into your name. Full transparency. Just... don't do th

s touch was clammy, desperate. "We've been through so m

from under his. The gesture was quiet,

ent, my phone vib

ingle text message g

expecting you at The Gril

e‑nuptial meeting arranged by the Romero Family-held on their own turf, arranged by their Consigl

us hope. He was still waiting for my answer, for

movements fluid

, cutting through the restaurant's quiet mu

? What do you mean?

utch. "I have ano

the table. With the tip of one fin

I said softly. "For so

ieving eyes on my back with every step I took. I walked past the maître d',

s, I took a deep, full br

st as the text had promised. I slipped into t

-the one Jefferey knew-buzzed.

s imploding. His other phone rang. It was Jessie,

id what he always did. He chos

frayed. "I'll marry you. Is that wh

ie's sobs mira

But you have to give me time. I need Elenora to finish one

as a tool. An as

ion hardening. This was just a game to her, he decided. A power play. S

s gliding to a stop

cus Hayes, was waiting on the sidewalk.

Mr. Romero

ing breath, and stepped out of the

ld never