Wicked Mercy

chine. Amara Santiago sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers trembling as she clutched her mother's frail hand. The

s, then at the machines she didn't understand. Every beep remind

e said gently as she stepped into th

r head. "I'm f

walked out quietly. The door hadn't even clicked shut before an

man in a suit. Leather

d to look to k

sion," said the man, his voice

Don

And predator in

thirty-three-but carried himself like someone twice his age. Hi

Not from attraction, but fear. She had researched him enough to know he wasn't a

, lifting the document from the s

it to him. He simply looked a

ond tho

you'd pay the hospital bills. And clear the deb

mined it. "Trust is a luxury, Miss Santiago. I

he asked quietly, already knowing

a second, she saw something flicker

of you. Your time, your body

I'm not some desperate girl

ho plays house. This isn't romance, Miss

hy me? But she coul

ot when her landlord had already changed the locks on her a

in, her voice harder now.

lipped it into his coat pocket

rd was just another tool in

e called after him, "Wait

ed up within the hour. You'll be staying at one of my r

I don'

pau

Your father's debts will crush your future before it even beg

breath

fa

ath, he ha

t, his footsteps echoing like a countdown

suitcase at her feet. Her long black coat was soaked through with rain,

vil, and a promise sh

windows giving nothing away. A tall man in unif

t pounding so loudly sh

ye

ed and sixt

I'm

g she was already crying until the doo