ciously, but saw no one. Unlocking the door, she stepped inside-only

ou leave these r

elbow on the mop handle. He looked ev

Clearly, someone's got a crush

off. Since Anthony seemed just as clueless, she didn't press fu

uddle spreading across the f

lled out. "Are you fixing the faucet

p-random spurts of water whenever it was turned on. Anthony had confidently promised

he had every

till mopping. "The pipe burst while I was tightening the screws.

ut it's fine now. I replaced the f

on the coffee table and taking the mop from him. As she leaned d

mportant." He rotated his wrist, stretching it, then grinned

owning. "Doubt it. I turne

me," Anthony said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell

puzzled. "What d

's a guy. How am I

echless. Well, she had

installing a smart lock with a

e by and saved vi

ny shady ideas," he said, "at least

ght that m

as installed, An

o Ancorum for a meeting about the new tr

ged closer to William, eyeing Edward, w

or does the air feel d

ce at Edward, then g

ward's gut from last nigh

specially for someone like him

th shut out of habit-less talk, fewer mistakes. She sat properly in her seat, q

e group headed straight to a high-end dow

nvestment and choosing us for this c

, clinked it lightly, then

is mine," he

wide grin. "Mr. Hawthorne, you handle your liquor

es that first drink, he didn't take another si

navigated it like a pro. Alice, on the other hand, was new to

round after round kept coming. Before long,

lushed a deep rosy red, and her usu

g like it had four copies-swayed

in

w. Alice went limp and

etter. He leaned over, patt

? You

onse wh

ed as he glanced at

oked rooms upstairs. Let me hav

tant, then smiled as he pla

sure both William and

ing William and the other passed-out colleagu

. But what was truly disgusting was the way his fat hand star

her drunken daze. She feebly swatted his h

deep eyes frosty. "Lenny, I

t of the country too long. You know, some of our dinner habits here can be

dex finger lightly on the table. A minimal

lly me. You grew up here, totally familiar with our ways

about this: I'll take care of Alice tonight, make sure she's looked after. Tomorrow, I'll e

y was already reaching to scoop A

u really are a stunne

nd on Alice, a loud bang

nd glinting with menace. With a swift, force

omach and whimpering, "Mr. Hawtho

y. He stepped forward, his expensive leather s

followed could'v

voice was low but chilling. "Did

uch pain he was dripping sweat, his bloated body shaking un

he was yours, I swear! If I had any idea, I

ave mercy, M

ke. She tried to figure out what was going on through her

up, but her legs ga

r up without a word, carrying her bridal-style straight p

gain, this time

room and gently laid her on the bed. Just as he w

n't

y around his arm, eyes sh

ee himself, an

lease

pa. don't

lushed face was streaked with tears, and the way she hugged his arm-like she wa

Her long lashes trembled slightly against her ch

urprised, staring at

e night he'd pushed her too far. Even then, sh

had her backgro

by her grandfather, worked her way into a top university, and

persistent, hardworking, fighting her way through life-shouldn't hav

ly patted her arm. "It'

e scooted closer, her lips brushing aga

He quickly pulled his

ed, grabbing for him

ve Emily-she'll be good, she pro