na T

s Shane wit

at he might think now. That st

fixed on me. "I respect that she's you

e how I'll introduce myself

y, holding his gaz

tell why. It's my last name. The one he knew me by.

s voice dripping with that arrogant, holier-than-thou to

d, but a smirk tugs at the corner

our fiancée would appreciate the

I don't know who he is. That he wasn't the love of my

clips out. "S

a slow, m

ng it clear he doesn't intimid

not sure what her arrangement is here, but there are rules in this city. I'

I feel it moving from one to the other, w

I need to hear fr

e," he say

lem." I shrug, my p

o's voice is

o to hel

vate room would be appreciated," Shane

ead body,

livious to the real history between Shane and me, despera

urmuring for her to be quiet. Smart move. Calling the police wouldn

spoken with her in private," Shane d

l does he t

tart, taking a step toward him, bu

eps bet

, and I have guests to attend to," Milo says, his patience gone. "T

't hav

s order where the sun doesn't shine. "You're my employee. This

stand, and I bite the inside of my cheek t

lped me get this job when I had

in. Milo thrives on submission. I

d and pulls Marissa away

ilence-the clatter of plates, the clin

r," Abigail begins, now that

Abigail. When I'm done

me

punch, leaving me feeling

rn with hatred as

er voice cracking with practiced fragility. "And you

eins. How dare she

tip of my tongue, b

he cups Shane's jaw, turning his face to meet hers. He doesn't pull back. He

ece of my heart? Why does seeing him with my stepsister on his arm

that power over me

e strength to move, I

ll be on the upper floor. Take the elev

ride out of the kitchen. I pray to reach the elevator before he does.

lock with Milo's. I curse him

have to say a word. I know that even though I'm obeying,

ommon area and head for the elevato

ressing the button for the top floor, des

s me as the doors begin to sli

ng them. The hand of the man wh

ay, Ms.

corner as he steps inside. His presence seems to suck all the ai

by him. His scent, still the same as alwa

nape of his neck, where his black hair is cr

lide into his trouser pockets-an old habit, one

the hell are you

e single floor. The doors open again. He steps out first. No backward glance

see if I'm behind him. It's obvious I have

hane. We can drop the

me from head to toe. A frown flickers between his brows, gone in an

and looks down his nose at me with

e you do

s grown two heads. What

ou don't pay me to answer your

lm, as if he's sizing up a clien

ll in contac

eyes. Unbe

the way, is still a pain in the ass," I remin

kes him take a

my tone. Too bad