ew York exactly thr

interview she didn't get. And once, five years a

rning, wearing the only clean outfit she had left-jeans and a wrinkled blo

me," she said, f

am

ra C

is tablet. His eyeb

nned it, waited, then nodd

floor. Don't t

rmi

ched the numbers climb and tried not to think about the fact that she was about t

oors

hite marble. A woman with sleek black hair

looking up. "Mr. Blackwood is

with floor-to-ceiling windows, and stopped

pushed

elbows, phone pressed to his ear. He looked up when she entered, a

o the chair a

didn

ll have to call you back." He hung up a

give me mu

tood, walking around the desk.

ot to be s

e th

ms. "What do you w

hat she could smell his cologne-something

liste

I stole trade secrets, which is laughable, but the court of public opinion doesn't care abou

ctly do I fi

daughter. His only child. The one he's

t speak

s about you. He still wants your approval. And if

dropped. "What k

hat he can't destroy me without de

You want me to be yo

ou to be

s hung i

e couldn't help i

ut I'm also offering you someth

hat's

s desk, picked up a folder, and

. Her name at the top. And below it, a l

. Full protection. $500,000 deposited into her acco

she asked, her voi

with me. You play the part of my devoted wife." He paus

not a marriage. That'

stepped closer. "You'll have your own room. Yo

on't

sional year." He held out a pe

ct. At the man who was offering her ev

ot hire an actress? Someone

ned, just slightly. "Your father won't

f I sa

tudents. And you watch from the sidelines while your father destroys me and anyo

an cold. "H

showed her an email. "Subpoena request filed th

. She set the folde

time t

ve unti

three

ned back to his desk. "There's a café downst

he door, then stopp

es

this contract... you have

ed up.

atever happens between you two...

g sil

wly, Dori

promise

the café fo

ht about her father-the way he'd looked at her five years ago when she'd to

iet life. The way she'd built somethin

ht about Dori

el room. Not like a threat. Like a puz

ch you unle

eliev

the scari

walked back in

again, but he hung

el

ontract on hi

nditions,"

e th

dents. Two: I want my own bank account. Separate from yours. Three..."

long moment. Then he st

ea

shoo

en his fingers closed around her

he family, Mr

house wa

floor-to-ceiling windows, the marble floors, the chandelier

.. a lot,

ing his tie. "Your room is down the hall. S

hing her suitcase

o comes in on weekdays. If you have d

ssistant who t

effi

terrif

paused at the hallw

ha

morrow morning. We'll need

nounce

his shoulder. "We need a story. How we met

ounded. "And wh

a small smile pla

e wrong room. And I knew, the moment I

eath c

entirely a lie,

id softly.

ring behind them, the silence stretching

nked, and the m

s. Blackwood. Tomo

hallway and disappe

ssive living room, her hear

have

-

, she coul

hoping for a glass of water, and found

at his phone. H

leep?" s

t look u

at on the stool besid

oment, he di

ed his phone

he headline made

od Accused of Murder: New Evide

looked

oked

he said quietly. "And after I