the faintest smile. "Mel

nda replied, her own smile sharp. How

, fragile, like someone who'd ba

eemed to swallow her up, draping loo

of, yet she carried that

Claire had always been that type-soft, pitiful, the kind

Claire instinctively backed away

used laugh. "And when

ght he would lash out at your family like that. I was so worried for you. Then, I overheard that you were planning

ut the glint in her eyes carr

ig, yet her client happened to be Declan. He must have found her situation f

nned to destroy me completely. You play the innocent well. I'm beginning to wonder if my fath

if struck, then stumbled dr

ward, refusing to

landing hard on the floor with a p

m fell

someone yelled, "Claire? D

inda, seeing you working as a bar girl and flirting with guests broke my heart. If

ze. Her min

adiated cold fury as he crouched to gather Claire

d toward Melind

, her lashes wet with trembling tears,

your father locked her up for two years! She was half-dead wh

bt my father ever hurt her either. Claire, drop the act

y shaking. "Mr. Dawson impriso

darkened with disgust. He shoved Melinda ha

into his arms and strod

toppling, glass shattering. Pain tore thr

thin, gleaming line, leaving a viv

enticing, and it drew the sta

Gibson's ex-wife. Once the dazzling soc

beauty laced with desperation, the

s and sleazy businessmen. They t

father-in-law and built his power through ruthless methods and ties to bot

hin with a smirk. "Are you working here now? You've k

oom door. "Claire caught her flirting with the guests and tried

ered, his tone dripping with filth. He threw a gla

ss among the predatory men,

is arms gently holding Claire as he murmu

der with a woman; he could be careful. But neve

ingering figure. Was she still stan

t his mark on her skin, and sh

lips curved with disdain. "We're divorced. I

to laughter. "Mr. Gibs

nda's heart. She was dee

had torn up that million-dollar check, thinking she'd kept so

, cold and untouchable, holding the woman he c

, and this broke

He brought it to his lips with a thrill, then wrapped an arm around h

es low and filthy. "How could she h

r. Be my lo

out more d

. Melinda was trappe

d rage. Her eyes, wet and red, darted

so bitter," Claire whispe

ispering something, and

inda, splintering what was left of her

n crowding her, her re

swept her eyes over the room. "Why are you all so impa