a physical blow. She woke with a start, her body aching in places she hadn't k

ater came from the bat

gan to vibrate violently against the mahogany. The nam

ed for the phone, her hand shaking.

jagged tear in the morning silence. "Carmella sa

athroom door. She could see the vague, dark

she said. Her

en, a softer, sweeter voice

he's fresh from the farm. She doesn'

s turned white. She could hear the rustle of sheets on

o the foreground. "We have the summit today. If you're late and embarrass me, I

ne wen

e rise in her throat. It wasn't the hangover. It

ar and expensive soap. King walked out with a towel wrapped low around

hone in her hand. "

of indifference. She sat up, clutching the sheet

and pressed a button. A panel slid open, revealing rows of besp

rom a hanger and tossed it onto

istant, Silas, will be here in t

hanging past her fingertips. It smelled like him-cold ai

cooking the books," he said casually, as if discussing the weather. "

ers halting on the butt

Because I'm his boss. And I'm waiting for him

he USB drive. He needed a spy. He needed someone inside the Go

m. Her hands trembled slightly as she reac

want me to do

l. Make them underestimate you. And then..." He leaned in, his li

. It was a sharp,

a breath. "Tha

or. He tapped the screen. His expression didn't cha

atient than I thought," King said

an cold. She rush

utside the penthouse door, was Preston.

door and locked it. The click of

is voice terrifyingly calm.