rapy session had been draining, and she was looking forward to some lighthearted banter to distract her

ough the wringer," Claire teas

osened her scarf and let out a small sigh. "Rough session. Sometim

you? With that calm, all-k

as the waitress approa

no time digging in. Wendy, however

"Let's hear it. How was the gala? You

g deal about it-said it was 'important' for me to dress up and mingle because ther

rted. "The

at all, but still..." Wendy trailed off, her

ire asked, gen

t was a gala by the 'Aurelius Fami

coons with ties to every kind of corruption you can imagi

himself on being all about law and order, was suddenly all chummy with them

. "Private dinner? Okay, now

g questions, and the awkward tension when her blog came up. "And when his father re

idened. "Becaus

he Aurelius family isn't just some rich corporate dynasty. They're deeply entrenched

serious. "Wendy, this doesn't sound good

It's like he's hiding something, a

entioned... What about him..is h

ch to talk about?

ng. "Why do I think you want to leave ou

e slight smile tugging at her lips. "Fine.

resting her chin in

hing slightly. "Like, annoyingly good-looking. Tall, sharp jawlin

fanning herself. "Oh my Go

eriously, Claire, it's like he knows he's attractive and take

ou?" Claire asked, w

rgy," Wendy said thoughtfully. "Like he'

unds like someone's

rust him one bit. He's part of everything I've been fighting against w

ean you can't appreciate

" Wendy ch

ion from the last few d

sound of Wendy's phone buzzing on the ta

d, hesitating before p

came through, unusuall

with Clai

soon. We ne

rything

nt; just... come h

feeling uneasy.

erned look. "What do y

bout last night," Wendy said, biting her l

lear their heads. The crisp afternoon air was re

e blog?" Claire asked suddenly as th

deways glance. "Why

g up against some really dangerous peop

I stop, who's going to call them out? The syste

're braver than I a

rp. I didn't get to where I am today by running away from my fears. I have alway

ke sure to be careful and alw

course." Wen

.. will see you late