with a poker face. He liked

s." Dumb as a

ther picked out all the elegant dresses she required me to wear at private

ther. We go back fifty years in the dope game before our pharmaceutical company broke

your hones

ed legit businesses around the world, we hu

ed off the radar altogether. Became an industrialist. Brought my mother in on it. They flourished! Built generational wealth. They were very smart...b

ar voice. A voice she hadn't heard sin

erna

arms. "I've missed you!

billionaire

her face. "This

y,

ade it like he was a f

, girl." Ha, ha. "Take most thin

tion that. Patricia. Stay here. Stay he

n't stop

ke they were never apart. "Are you sure? That would be qu

hugged h

e. Our brand pays all the bills automa

wardly, neve

her gut, wouldn't allow her to relax. She kept

atricia started. "Who wants

n. "I'm sure that will be a

nts, but I traveled so much home became just a house unfamiliar to me the longer I stayed away

print while you properly mourn them. One less thin

er from another mother. We've been close since we were kids.

parent's estate in years. I wouldn't even know w

replaced with a comforting grin, yet darkness hid behind

loose ponytail. The essence of his flair poured

yet. I've been so busy worki

hat for you as

rigorous schedule to even call my advisor. I had to pencil in this

secret cuffs. "Since you're moving in, you can

er?" Patricia

ghter than the dar

twenty-three, the second oldest is twe

Moderna saw it in her eyes.

love you," said Moderna,

guest in your home; certainly

your feelings are being considered. We don'

Patricia with an air of doubt d

d. "Good, go

ied to?" Patricia

He nodded. She lowered her head, then l

iration. "The multi-billion-d

etorically self-exp

an damn, w

hat made Patricia's undergarments sweat like they were

ar away from Moderna

about the bitch, Patric

t bulb on the Christmas tree or

s upper right shoulder and turned to face a

eak. Dropping her cell phone, she couldn't tear away from his eyes. Her nipp

heir to the O'Neil

my King. You'll just love him," she gushed

this se