Contracted By The Enemy

V:

adn't stopp

mocking the silence trapped inside with her. Ava sat rigid in the back seat, eyes f

tared back at her in black and white - a mugshot that didn't match the boy she'd raised. He was nineteen. Sweet. Naïve. Barel

stian

iver asked gentl

- to push open the door and step into the downpour. The wind slapped her cheeks. Her heels s

ide was colder

. Glas

or like she'd seen lambs walk to slaughter before. And at the far end of

idn't

dn't n

se storm-colored eyes - sharp, un

late,"

. "Your assistant sa

tched - not quite amusemen

er word. Expected her to

e sealing fate in a tomb. Brushed chrome. Soft

ey were alone in his offi

charges," he said, unlockin

side. "He's just a kid.

bastian cut in, his ton

charges. Do

he edge of his desk, arms folded. "I will.

ogether. "What ki

leather folder on the des

me. For one year. In exchange, I drop

at him. Did

me mine,"

ched the air f

undered. "Is

on't

blinking like it might era

he studied her - like someone examining

ly woman who ever told

reath

ng. A rejected offer. He hadn't

tight. "You're doing

oing this because I al

ed for it slowly, the edge of the leather co

Think about it, Ava. One year of playing house

ened th

e page, a single lin

binding. No exit.

ingers t

hat same cold calm. That same r

time to

. Enough to unnerve her. "Y

t of s

t?" she

iled - slow a

him. And the