My Husband's Business Partner

van estate, casting a golden hue across the marble floors. Everythi

coffee cup. The silence in the room was thick-sterile, like a museum. She had grown used to this qui

her twelve-year-old face still flushed from sleep

brushing a strand of hair behind Reena's ear. She di

d as she plopped down on the seat next to

her." She reached for the phone. No mes

t, Geraldine had already packed their lunches. Lovia, at ten, had her father's eyes-cold, ca

tter," Lovia muttered,

me size," Reena

ame. Nothing's eve

ia's collar, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You're

hed bricks. Rows of parents pretending their lives weren't in ruins under their designer s

no m

tt's office. She hadn't been invited-she never was-but she had questions.

lining the lot and security detail that looked more military than

nst the marble. The receptionist-a young, nervous g

uh-I didn't know

Geraldine said cal

with Mr. Lachlan

's stomac

chl

"He was here mo

but inside, something

it in hi

t hesitated. "I

voice sharper now. She pushed past

ent of his cologne and cigar smoke that hadn't faded. She walked to his desk and sta

with a diamond ring. Back then, she was twenty-one, foolish, and desperate to

, he ha

Paperwork. Files. A USB drive tuck

dine

e-night calls. On whispered lips. H

something,

, heart

rs of his mouth. His suit was dark, perfectly fitted, and he lo

e said, slipping the drive into her co

to her hand-he'd seen

partner," he said casually. "

t when you make late-night visit

inside. "You're sh

ou look like." Her gaze wa

ed. "That depends. How b

her eyes. "Enough t

t slightly. He studied her, and something shif

he said. "Your husband plays games w

hispered. "Le

r chest felt heavy, and every corner of the house reminded her of the cage she

ed Redwood... it pulsed in her

irls, she locked her bedroom door

. A sing

hit

unded by men. Armed. One of them was kneeling, bloodied.

fa