Ashes Of Affection

'll just let

ed her cheeks, sharp and punishing, but it wasn't the weather that made her tremble. It was shame. Anger. The sick knot of defeat coiled beneath her ribs.

clutched in her hand cr

none brave enough to approach her, but their eyes follow

idn't

mannequins in silk and diamonds. Dresses she once wore. Designers who once called her by name. Now, they

orefront, her breath ragged. Her fingers, red

n they

r hand and fluttered into th

dn't c

van

and unmistakably alive. Like he

ed, and her b

raids slicked back into a bun that framed her cheekbones like sculpture. Her boots

ou doing out here li

maybe, but all she could muster

wet street. She arched a brow, stepping forward and

Rhett Callahan

ile in her throat. "He offered me a deal.

nked once.

e... tuxedos and signature c

" Savannah muttered. "He wants a wife. A silent, w

tching the ink bleed. "Jesus, Sav. This l

doesn't even want me. He wants what I represent.

shifted. The tease

y are yo

Savannah's lip quivered. She turned her head,

ost said yes,"

with a warm, steady hand. Her thumb brushed a

You're shaking like

low glow of a streetlamp. The city pulsed around them horns, sirens, voices blurring into a soundt

t can't buy groceries or keep a roof over my head. My apartment's falling ap

't interrupt

knowing I'd consider it. For being right. For standing t

onesty?" Ce

nah n

won't put food in your mouth or silence the rumo

ract again, her name still visib

me then?"

id. "And choosing it b

h's fingers tightened around the contra

lik

phone in hand. The screen glowed with a hea

? SAVANNAH DELACROIX SPOT

flattering. Her coat hung open, he

d, the comments wer

r long to sprea

finally lear

el to char

mattress and pressed the heel

thing

, humming radiator, silence thicker than air. The shadows cas

acroix. Not the woman who once graced magazine covers and hosted charity galas. This woman w

holding onto?"

hattered

shar

fr

oom and peered thr

land

ai

waste time. "Ms. Delacroix. I gave y

h, but the words ca

dn't want to do this. You were always polite.

er the noti

ook it. "You think I'm still throwin

e softening. "I think

lickering hallway light. The paper in

the door.

sank to t

estination, just movement. The city was quiet, slick f

e always did when the

ceme

ind. Her boots sank into the mud as she made he

rave was still

her fingers along the carved name. Benjamin Delacroi

andled," she murmured. "You pr

answer. The tr

ho I am anymore. I'm tired, Dad. I'm t

e. She didn't

s the stone. The rain ret

spered. "Do I give him

t expect

th

ed across the gr

iffened, tu

temples. His hands were clasped in front of him like he was u

he said. "Mr. Ca

omach

owly. The wet hem of her

he

the black car parked at the edge of the gr

he man replied, "when s