THE HANDLE
aron sat rigid, fingers clasped over her purse, ey
t didn't spe
actly why s
he sniper. The red dot. The
ames wante
spoke. Calm
survi
" Sharon
Barely implies weaknes
Adequate. Not competen
c click. Sharon had noticed it in the ply," he said. "
et hi
ules," she sa
remind you." He leaned closer. "Stay visib
re part of surv
He studied her like she was a
onment. Questions
swallow
. Penthouse attack. The leaks you discovered-don't exist officially. They ne
omach
le?" she
understand. It's to perform. Smile.
her skull. Perform. Pretend.
he asked, v
's look. For adaptability. Instinct. You survive in envir
s jaw c
le like me to act
ing you do is calculated for their consumption. Board members, press, shareholder
it. To refuse. But she knew on
he seat beside him. He pulled out a small car
it only in emergencies. Do not share it. And
luctantly. It fel
ncy?" s
. If someone identifies you as a decoy. If real Georgia Laur
felt
Geo
e. Or dead. But James' words made it clear:
on and your executioner. Smile. Be visible. Ask nothing
hands c
Georgia..."
r. Not me. Not yourself. Her. Every movement. Every inflecti
uthfully, fear pric
r gala. A donor dinner. You will attend. Observe. Smile. Remain vi
swallow
od," she
the ride w
f the glass. She was a shadow inside a shadow.
a private venue. Chandeliers hung low. The soft clink
smile measured. Cameras clicked.
ng from the corner. Obser
of Laurent's longtime do
me. How are you fee
slightly. Chin up. Eyes
aid. "And more focused t
isfied. But Sharon's
ar the exit. Shoulder-length hair.
on the g
mach ti
ible in her ear through
React. Do
gered on her. Too
zed somethin
donor. He wa
there f
new her
o smile. A perfect G
her bloo
the camer
d from the shadows, calm
steppe
ng so low, Sharon had
supposed to
se skyr
. Conversations hummed. But Sharon kn
as only th
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