Wils

behind the girl, leaving the r

e let out a disgusted sigh and rose from the sofa, pa

lf a generous measure of whiskey. The amber liquid sloshed into the crystal

in. "Your vision is too small, Bettie. You see

ay to her lips, and looked

g. Leaning on my cane, I walked to the grand window that overlooked

my voice low. "Robert Hayes has been circling like a vultu

y, the glass trembling slightly in her ha

, we need a powerful ally. An ally Hayes wouldn't dare to cross." I let the words h

t pale. Even the hand holding her glass froze. "Daryl Price

ic Alpha whose appetites were as legendary as his cruelty. His las

s a slab of granite. "She is unmarried. She is a tool. A

shock. Then, slowly, a grotesque smile spread across her fa

t. She began to pace again, energized by the cruelty of the plan. "It solves everything. Jus

es. "But Justin... he'll never agree. He's weak. He

d what is best for his own ambition. But you are right, we cannot tell him.

d, raising her glass in a to

together, sealing the p

nd came from the hallway. A soft

with vicious glee, instantly hardened into a mask of suspicion. She s

hing a cleaning cart away from us, her back turn

predatory glint in them. "

"Don't create a scene. Just handle the security fo

out her phone and typed a quick, encrypted mess

me was Rose, and she was one of Clara's few friends among the staff. In her trembling hand, she clutched a small, folded piece of p

l Pr

was in the parlor. And th

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