ly

Atlantic. A wall of windows framed the gray, tumultuous sea. The m

sweater and dark trousers that did nothing to

tur

ace that looked like it had been carved fro

t offer

y son," he said. His voice was a low bariton

demand

s respect. I didn't invade his space. I created an inv

e glanced down at the resume on his massive desk. "Johns Hopkins.

at followed wa

said, my voice steady. "My mother's medical bill

oment, his gaze fixed on m

ne-month trial. Your duties are simple:

his eyes

is house is off-limits to you. You are fo

tal c

rward with a tablet displaying a contract

my only

e, I have

eyebrow. A si

alary, the fifty thousand d

sional facade slipp

to ice. "Miss Vaughn, this

inside me

's care can't wait. Without the advance, I can't take the job.

only by the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs be

act the demand, he spoke, h

ange the wir

p the sharp in

d to stand before me. He was even taller

his voice low and intense. "I am doing

erview

tifully designed guesthouse nestled in the trees. It was

e living room, my phone buzzed

received. Amou

at the

rs came, hot and fast, a flood of relief that left

spital's payment portal and

a

was safe

ing main house. This wasn't a job. It was a transaction. I had sold

f the silen

rbidden th

d its secrets,