he marble countertop, waiting for the kettle to boil. It was early-too early.

n't sle

her skin. Adrian's confession. Rachel's name. The fire. And the emai

he left the bed. There was a peace on his face she hadn't seen before. Vul

ttle w

o the kiss. No-kisses. The intimacy, the warmth. His touch had bee

as fa

fied her more

d up the mug, the

omach

Lena turned calmly-only to freeze when

ric

tepmo

hadn't earned, Patricia strode in as though she owned the place. Her heel

rred. "Living in lux

ed around the mug. "Ho

dn't even question me. The beauty of rich address

not my

"I must say, Adrian Blackwood has exquisite taste. Though I can't i

ground. "Wha

't wash away so easily, darling. You may be playing house with a b

ly. This is about money. You heard I got marri

anny grew a backbone. But don't flatter yoursel

t inter

cia stepped closer. "Because

pulse q

oice dripping with mock sympath

st tighten

he debt collectors are circling. Unless someone-say, a wealthy daughte

isbelief mixing with

u either play, or you get played. Your father ch

"He has nothing le

cia said smoothly. "Because unlike me

ng," Lena whispered. "H

ricia said with a victorious

pond, another voice c

d to lea

hirtless, a storm darkening his expression. His eye

r charm flipping back on like a switch. "Mr

id le

pleasantries?

reaten her again-and I will bury your name so deep in lawsuits and

aled, lips

he gr

and stalked back to the elevator, her heels echoin

le

na, his eyes softer

ing it together. "I didn

on't a

wing hard. "She used my

r gently into his arms. "You don

spered. "No matter how weak he was.

sting against her temple. "Then we'l

Why do you keep d

"Because every time I look at you, I remember what

-

, the penthouse felt

drian's oversized re

the past slithered back in. Patricia, Jasmine, her father.

dressed in slacks and a cri

ur father's debt," he said. "It's

used to be a good

his hands on her knees. "We'll help him.

"Why would

oesn't require their grati

ds stun

less, heartless, cold... was showing her the ki

eck. He responded immediately, pulling her close u

what's coming,"

rmured. "But I'm

reply. She d

secrets, the lies, and the chao