lief in his eyes. He had choreographed the entire evening for maximum impact,

e asked, his voice lo

each word clearly, "I'll take the

ed away. The sound of his sputtered, angry words faded behind me. For the first time all night,

. He was tall and thin, with a quiet intensity about him. He wore a simple, slightly rumpled suit that looked out of place among the tailo

leave, clearly

ed out, my voice ste

to him. His eyes were a startlingly clear blue

es

y hand. "I believe Mark Davis spoke to

x." He looked from me back toward the spectacle around Mark and Emily, a

t the offer," I sa

u sure? We're... small. Very small. We

d. "I'm looking f

voice cut in. "Sarah! There

rook of Mark's arm. Mark's face was a mask of thunderous fury

nced at Alex, a dismissive look flashing in her eyes before she masked it with pity. "It's

but intended as a jab. She was painting me as a charity case,

myself, Emily," I

t eyes on Mark. "Mark, darling, maybe you should talk to her again.

erformance, glared at me. His earlier shock had curdled into a deep, vengeful anger. He sa

sneer. "Fine. Go work for this loser. But don't come

't just letting me go. He was