n John

his face, quickly replaced by anger. "What did you

ath my feet. I clutched the portfolio tightly against my ches

through intimidation. "Who do you think you are?" His voice lowered into a threatenin

that so? Then we'll see each other in court. Let's fin

mani, whose reputation was built on public image and business cred

face faded, replaced by his usual calculated calm. "Carleen, let's not fight,

n't a

Instead, he sent me to a hotel, trying to keep the situa

n, sunlight was already sp

eiling, unable to remember where I was. Then th

e expensive but unfamiliar decorations felt strangely empty, ju

d to th

the streets, skyscrapers reflected the morning light,

iend, Kimber - the fiercely loyal, outspoken girl who

orbell

slick as his smile. He handed me a folder. "Ms. Johnson.

cument and shut th

l rights to marital property in exchange for a one-time pay

was to remain silent about our marriage and, especi

slammed the documents onto the desk. This wasn't just an insult. It was his w

a number only a handful of people knew, buzzed

"Hello, is this Westwind?"

my pen name, the name of the gothic comi

llywood. I am a massive, massive fan of The Enforcer's Apprentice,

w him. He was one of the hott

The career I thought I had sacrificed for my marriage w

eally was. Not yet. The name Westwind had protected me for years,

g number," I said, my voice as ste

down the phone and p

k, as if I'd jus

he humiliating divorce

and pulled it open. Armani's lawyer was

pers and ripped the agreement in half. The sound

t me, his m

tell your boss," I said, my voice low and even, "th

e at his shocked face

d, I felt a surge of po

d Kimber's number. "Kimber, I need

diate. "Carleen! You final

irst time in twenty-four hours. "

e sun was bright, but it no

ber. And I'm taking back ev