y's
long, but I didn't mind the exhaustion. If anything, it kept my mind from wandering to the things I couldn't control-li
d me, cars honking, people rushing home, laughter spilling from the cafés lining the stre
ol glass. Another week, another paycheck barely stretching far enough. But at least her friend Wanda w
was secondhand, but she loved it as if it had been made just for her. She had twirled in front of
ome. But as soon as I stepped into
n our apartm
zing, every sin
s wrong, I j
s, my footsteps quickening on instinct. I
n the couch, her lips pressed into a thin line. The air was heavy, suffocating, thic
en I s
ts, watching me like I was some kind of toy he
slicked back, and his sharp features were enhanced by the glow of our cheap ceiling light. He d
what sent a chil
Cold, ruthless, a
voice deep and smoot
d up my spine.
y father. "Wh
ound of my voice. My
ing an air of quiet dominance
od ran
ldn't even
t. Everyone in the city knew his name. He was a businessman on paper, but in rea
s standing in
ed, my voice bare
ke he enjoyed drawing out the su
stagger
ney than I could even fathom, more
ked, my voi
red him. "Your father made a deal with me," h
r, desperation clawi
s eyes. "I'm sorry
whisper, but they slamme
e reality to sink in. Then he sa
glaring at him. "If you were re
g." He took another step toward me, his presence overwh
hope ignite
e spoke
'm offering a
couch before I could eve
ok at her. His eyes
ke it was the most natu
m went
re I had mish
tirely too comfortable. "You marry me, and yo
my arm. "She's
nge. He just shrugged. "Then
mach d
led. "Please
ncing him effortlessly. "Y
e one thing clear, Mary. If you refuse..." He tilted his h
weren't
ere a
ust turned and walked to the door,
my knees gave out, and I
ide me. "We'll f
eded to believe her but deep
orrow, I would becom