Taylo

wound on his shoulder was treated by his private doctor, and the incident was never spoken of again. Avery Adkins, true to Adam' s word, had gone silent. Her number wa

a fool'

reviewing quarterly reports when a shadow fell over my table. I l

ne expression that didn't rea

arby table, started to rise. I gave them a s

to a black town car parked across the street, its tinted windows hiding its occup

f my coffee, my eye

ach in a gesture of mock grief. "But it just made Adam feel more protective of me

l whisper. "So in a way, I should thank you. Your little

. She was wearing a low-cut dress, and I could see the faint, purplish marks of bruises o

widened into a

, her voice dripping with venomous

t words echoing in my ears. She saw the flicker of pa

pity. "All those years with him, and you have nothing to show for i

up grew hot under my finge

give Adam all the sons he desires. I' l

er with a deliberate, sharp clic

utching her hand, her face a mask of shock and agony. The pristi

s I had. As I' d set the cup down, Avery had deliberately moved her hand into its path, en

refully constructed composure shatt

anked her, their presence immense and intimidating. The

he shrieked as they began to pull

pped a perfectly manicured nail on the table, the

sked, my voice cutting through her hysterics. She stopped struggl

elped build?" I continued, a small, humorless smile touching my lips. "My dear

y, my voice dropping to

ys. It was paid for with loyalty, strategy,

reat swallowed by the city noise. I picked up my cup, sig

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