ad against the cool leather of the seat, her body trembling with adrenaline and rage. She arr

ors slid open w

the entrance to her

ed over her chest, a smug, proprietary look on her face. Her bodyguards s

lear focus. She looked at the woman who had stolen her life, wh

the plush carpet. Her eyes, filled with venom

The daughter of a convict, fresh out of whatever gutter you've been hidin

s price tag. "Harlan told me all about your little performance

as the

world narrowed to Kali

y a word. She

her hand

asn't the desperate, angry slap she'd given Harlan

alance on her ridiculous heels and crumpled to the floor, a heap of red silk an

He didn't even draw his weapon. He simply used the butt of his holstered pistol to strike

s one of pure fury. "You bitch!" She lunged forw

utter disdain. She lifted her foot, the sharp

licate, expensive train of her gown, pinning the fabric to

ext time you mention my child," she said, enunciatin

ce, and swiped her key card. The door to her suite clicked open. She walk

d it felt like a physical violation. She fumbled in her clutch fo

d on the s

s. "Cora... she attacked me! She hit me! She's insane, a complete monster!" She a

eavy moment. Only the sound of hi

, his voice was colde

e single word sharp

fake tears dryin

er. And let me be perfectly clear. You can call her whatever you want. But if I ever hear you use a word like 'gutter' o

ne wen

g buzz in her ear. The jealousy and humiliation

e

. The foundation of lies she had built her life