Ashes Of Affection

t get this

were the color of dead teeth beige, flaking, institutional. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting shadows under her eyes th

hrough papers, unimpressed, as if the next transacti

No music.

ing signed away

suit with a red blotch on his tie and eyes that hadn

ke Savannah Delacroix to be

se. Didn't waver. Just settled

first. Her throat was too tight. The air to

, Savannah

better. The words scraped her throat on

dded as if c

the state of Missouri, I now p

of Rhett retrieving his copy like he was collecting a signed

urned to l

, his eyes locked on hers. When he leaned in, it

long to

mach tw

er. Chrome fixtures. The air tasted like disinfectant and wealth. Savannah

id no

er di

n them. Outside, Arizona stretched beneath them red earth, jagged cliffs, canyons deep

, the sky was bl

driver dressed in black, expressionless open

king against the concrete lik

sidian. Modern angles. Tall stone columns. Window

ved in the walls.

s were dressed in art that didn't belong expensive but emotionless. Savannah caught gl

lack. Her heels didn't make a sound. Her postu

ad of household. If you require anything, ask. But

blinked.

He simply gestured

lt more like a verdict. The hallway was long. Empty. Lights dimmed to a

was at

rned t

ck

aightened. Sh

th

icked from beh

holding a remote in his hand

ngaged with a

stepped

could fit every lie she'd ever been told. A walk-in closet already filled with cl

closed be

d, From t

as hi

er. A prisone

Crystal chandeliers rained light across polished floors. Waiters in white

Rhett's side, th

d been curled, brushed, and pinned by strangers. Her makeup was perfection. Her

disguise

entrance. "Mr. Callaha

hers but never touching. His smile was bar

gave them her practiced smil

clicked like

orporations. Women who ran them better. Models who gl

ehind a crystal flu

d, "God, she's t

draped in red silk, laughing too loud,

t the one who r

eston Bl

air parted for him. Tall, dark suit tailo

oothly, bowing like a gentl

ned to face

asked, offer

didn't shift.

took

m where the orchestra hummed. They dance

settled lightl

well," he murmured. "For

e. "Say what yo

You know he doe

d. "I don't tru

Savannah. You're playing in a gam

n maybe it's time some

pressed. "You were wasted on p

care what

brushing her ear. "We all care

dn't f

"If you ever want to know

ms. "If I ever call you, Wes

That's what I

ay before he

t watched her. His jaw ti

his side, her smile p

is charming

s dangerous,

ce, married in name

champagne and chandeliers

pte