you can trust, Raf

a "business meeting," leaving me with a heavy silence and a stomach full of lead. He thought I

the handle. It didn't budge. I pulled a bobby pin from my pocket-a trick Leo

ic

the mahogany desk, my feet sinking into the thick carpet. I needed to find Leo's gamb

r-bound ledger sat inside. I flipped it open, my

Thorn

ere no losses at a casino. No betting slips. Just a date-the date

Amount: $5,000. Stat

rush. I flipped the page, my fing

ip town: $10,000. Conditio

nto a blurred, nauseating mess. Ignatius didn't save me. He didn't pay a debt. He bo

"gratitude" I felt for my savior-it was all a perfo

um

n shook the floo

th a loud slap. Ignatius stood in the doorway. He wasn't wearing the robe anymor

oo curious for you

o the room and kicked the door shut. The lock engaged w

my fingers were too stiff, too terrified to m

he warm, rich sound from befo

lready sprung. "I told you your brother left you. I just forgot to mention I gave him the plane ticket. He

ld see the reflection of my own

. No sound came

n, bruising and firm. "And you don't look at men like me unless you're desperate. You needed a

rushing against my forehea

broken vase made you cheaper to own. And now? Now ther

bruising my hip. He didn't look like a saint. He looke

yes dark with a terrifying, possessive hunger. "