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
for denial, for some kind of explanat
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