anket, broken only by Chloe's quiet, shuddering bre

was still curled up on the floor. His expression was a chaotic mix

began, the words feeling absurd

carefully editing her truth. "It's been torturing me

ind screamed that this was impossible, insane. But the othe

it up again. Anoth

t of the dressing room. I'll w

o himself. She was still lying, crea

the floor, pointing a trembling finger at the tab

resse

all in the hotel's underground garage. Sloane stood on her toes, her arms wrapped around the director's neck, and

way, a video could not. It was

ing. He braced himself against the wall, a

ading a verdict. "David Marshall's long-term residence. She told you she was in a dressing

osal, you'd be tied up at a celebration. She could plead exhaus

es the access, the resources, the status. This proposal, from start

d thought he was the one in control, the generous benefa

ot rage. The humiliation was absolute. The warmth and affection

rigid. He picked up his pho

er breath, w

ice was terrifyingly calm. "Slo

ft in his tone, continued her act. "I'm in the

," Andr

. He didn't accuse her. H

eliberate taps, he

t was a final, brutal execu

r was gone from his eyes, replace

e softer now. "The floor is

d, hesitated for a fraction of a sec

rew her into a hug, his hand resting on the back of her head, g

mured, his voice lo

e was comforting hi

t she hadn't felt in years, not since before the fall. The night

beginning. Sloane Ashford wou