s the terrazzo floor, stopping exactly in

sy fo

lking to the principal's office. She positioned herself a half-step behind the rig

hite clerk with a tired smile pushed two thick stacks

we process the paperwork, I need to ask the mandatory question. Are bo

t answer i

st. His long, aristocratic fingers b

Tap

. In the quiet space of the coun

ack of his dark hair, terrified he was going to humiliate her and call off the deal

zing seco

pping. "Yes," he said.

d her gaze to Ch

sitate. She nodde

e completely flat. "Enti

lightly. He glanced at

solute lack of emotion in her voice. There was no hesitation, but there

blanc pen across the counter. "Plea

cked up

ed the nib to the paper and slashed his arroga

over his shoulder

reache

the side of her index finger accide

was freez

ed her hand back, gripping the pen tightly. She leaned over th

ack. She picked up a heavy me

h

ed," the clerk announced.

o his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek

. He pulled out a sing

ank transf

out towar

evoid of any inflection. "Wired into the Vega G

took t

at the long, impossible string of zeros p

ring breath rippe

er spine straight for the past three days

e. She didn't c

ld. The debt was paid. She was no longer a burden to the family

rrowed

igger. He expected her eyes to widen with greed, or for her to put on a s

. She folded it again, making a small square, and tuc

k a ste

nd offered a stiff,

oice completely hollow. "If there is nothing else required

mall talk. She treated him exactly

oward the exit. Her pace was fast, almost fr

to

through the open

ibrating with an absolut

pumps froze on t

Her stomach dropped into her shoes. She stood per