dden silence was violent. Alexus made a small sound of protest,

sound was theatrical, des

ults here," he said

l paper, and tossed it over his shoulder. It landed on Keira's laptop with a slap. Th

ng wall, reinforced concrete-and saved the document. Only then did she close the lapt

n the rearview mirror, waiting for a reaction. "I'd do this w

allowance alone could buy you a nice little apartme

yes found the relevant clause on page seven. Upon dissolution of marriage, the party of the second part-Keira

sed the

ut through the car's ambient noise like a blade

owed in the m

seat beside her, untouched. "Second, you're not marryi

lute. Alexus's mouth

for the next decade. A promise that remains entirely hypothetical until I actually say 'I do'. Without my signature on a marriage certificate, that deal is paralyzed. Your father can tell

throat, to the silk scarf knotted there-Keira noted

ting asphalt, and Keira's body snapped forward against the sea

the other reaching back like he might grab her. His face was m

Some Vaughn castoff they stuck in

e didn't flinch. She d

e opens doors your father's money can

f her composure and splatter. He hadn't expected resistance

d it on the seat, a silent rejection. Her eyes moved to the window, to t

he device running warm against her palm. A forced data handshake. Someone was actively pulling her lo

was watching her specifically, speci

st held it, feeling its solid weight. She would need to find out w

s hands gripping the wheel at ten and two. The Porsche lurched ba

he only light on her face as the car carried them toward Long Island, toward the

st exchange. She ha

e didn