hem. A smirk spread across his face, making my heart skip a beat. "

oxicating scent that wafted from him. "I wouldn't say pleasure, Mr. Blackho

amusement. "What brings you here?" he

r business, Mr. Blackhood," I sai

towering height, at least six foot nine, made

th sending shivers down my spine. "I can shu

zed to the lady," I protested, a

f not for my guest, I could say a waitress from Billiards Restaur

alice as he spoke, and m

lub," I denied, trying

wn my spine. "Well, you are, if I say it to th

thinly veiled threat that left

adjusting his tailored royal blue suit. The change from

ut, and he paused,

me?" I demanded, trying

filled the air, sending

I want," he said, his ey

a low, husky tone. "How about you work for my company?"

ouch had sparked a strange, fluttery sensatio

ou," I declared, trying to sound fir

g with a knowing light, as if

rk still plastered on his face. "Y

anger simmering jus

his parting words dripping

ight. I let out a sigh of relief, praying to God that I

w moments, Maya finally emerged,

he said, her eyes sparkling with

ke off the lingering annoyance

s soon as we walked in, I made a beeline for the sho

ng familiarity of my own space, I couldn't shake off

the nurse, a sense of urgency cre

ympathetic. "I'm afraid Mrs. Jen

nk. "Why? Wh

t, it's because the payment for her care hasn't been

told you I'd pay by the end of the mo

but we couldn't accommodate your mother's stay in the ward

"Okay, where is her new ward?"

art attack when I was just seven, she became my sole caregiver. She worked tirele

irthday, I received the devastating news that my mom had been

urgery and care, but it was a Herculean task. The

open the door to my mom's new

rt aching at her frail appearance.

her eyes filled with

me, I brought something for you to eat," I

bed, I cautioned, "Careful,

es filled with a deep so

n my face. "What's wrong, Mo

led as a mom. You didn't get to enjoy your teenage y

, don't say that. You're an amazing mom.

ul. "But look, you don't care about

e me for now, okay, Mom

upting our intimate moment. A figure stood in

der Blackwood's piercing g

ow and smooth. "I see you're bu

king between Ryder and me. "Who is thi

Ryder. But before I could respond, he s

Blackwood. I've been...acq

l, but she nodded weakly. "Nic

w better. There was something sinister

der?" I asked, trying

yes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I thi

reboding settling over me. Wh