were clear. She pushed herself up from the floor, her hands stinging from wher

e only sign that he had heard her at all. He didn

y. "Take it, or I have Miles dial the precinct. The NYPD

ed Cinthia by the shoulders. His fingers dug

t flying onto her cheek. "That's Ad

pry his hands off. "That's why I'm saying no!

e debt, Cinthia! Think about Mom and Dad's loans! Think about Casey! I

a went

se

a gambler, and a liar, but his income-however shady the source-covered half the bills. If he went

ishness. There was no love there. He was looking at her like s

ic whine. "Just one year. It's probably just... cleaning o

ve of nausea. She

Patek Philippe. Worth more th

dule," Adrian

again, his thumb hoveri

took a breath that tasted o

she wh

," Adrian

ared at him. "I said fine.

show triumph. He just nodded

on his heel and walked toward the doo

nst the wall, wiping sweat from his forehead, already pulling out a pack of cig

, fragile tether that had bound her to

lowed the black su

e a slap. A black Rolls Royce Phantom was idli

ned the r

lstered in cream leather. Adrian was already ins

looking up. "Or go back insi

against the door, putting as much distan

ut, sealing them in