eir pace, somehow making it to th

sleek black car, polished but with

ehicle, his breath caught. This limited li

ielrora who could drive thi

up, was more than a businessman-he was the city's most influent

person today-it was nothin

ce suddenly full of flattery and nervous respect. "Mr. Martin! Good day! We ha

car remained still. No window rolled down. The doo

g? Gerard's smile

her ear with delicate grace, her tone soft and sweet. "Mr. Mart

g. No sound.

glanced at each

car. Still, no matter how many times they greeted hi

t once, the front passenger door opened and a

ized him-Ruben Douglas.

ven their family's current position, they weren't worth E

me background staff. Earning his favor could still

rced a friendly smile and stepped forward.

walked right past Gerard and Willa, making his way t

A shiver ran through them as they stood

ful bow. "Good day, Miss Moss. I'm here on Mr. Levi

Mar

warmth spread through Noell

rphanage, she'd been adopted later by Jeff

iend, had once played wi

d worn for as long as Noelle could remember. That a

riend, Noelle had no choice but to accept.

said with a pleasant smile, effortless

unk, and then opened the rear do

ep in-but paused. Some

ma

r with an easy confidence. He wore a spotless white sh

s, and his long fingers moved smoothly

the man slowly looked up from the

k, unreadable eyes that seemed

usky, with a relaxed kind of confidence. "I'm he

n Ma

distant, sent a wave of childhood me

ngement to her years ago. The chosen futur

ng before her... was h

to gather her thoughts as the black car p

ide, too stunned to move. Their expressio

ow, the Martins had shown up-for Noelle? And Ruben, with comp

ed their way-treating them like they didn

by Noelle had always rubbed her the wrong way. But this... this

tious glances at the breathtaking man beside her. But all she cou

hoped h

t childish now. Ou

o read her mind wi

ightly. His throat shifted as he spok

heart s

'd imagined, this was t

r relationship had alw

er a good life. Jeffery had powerful friends, and among them

ith Ethan in tow. That was how she

oo much. The adults had taken that as a sign and ar

ent meant. But as she got older and started to realize what it involved, the

nd oddly hostile-especially when she spent time with the boy next door.

rom childhood teasing to real, heated fights

ed right up to Jeffery one day and said she wanted to call of

ing like he'd walked straight out of a thunderstorm. His voice

. And it all came crashing down that night. After that fight,

ognized him when sh

h. The boy she once