Twice burnt, Once Loved

la's

spa bed. Soft piano music floated in the air, mingling with the faint scent of lavender and eucalyptus. For

ys been my pride, my mirror image-golden hair, flawless skin, and a smile that could melt the most guarded of h

lated move, every whisper in Chloe's ear-it had all led to this moment. I intended to e

y head toward her as a masseuse pressed into the kn

hing is going perfectly," she murm

as possible. Men like Jackson, with too much money and too many options,

efly, her smile widening.

n too naïve and prudish to keep a man like Jackson interested. No intimacy, no seduction-she

other properties to you. With his health failing, he can't manage his affairs anymore, which is

We clinked our champagne glasses-brought to us by the

leamed under the midday sun. We spent hours drifting between boutiques, jewelry stores, and s

for Chloe that my phone rang. Susan's name flashed

Hello? What do you want, a

's Dad-he collapsed. He's not responding. P

rn. "Oh... how unfortunate," I murmured, eve

y," she rushed out. "Please,

dear, but I have no money to spare. Handle it the way y

erything-every last property, account, and asset-would be m

en a man worth desiring-handsome, wealthy, and full of ambition. Now he was frail, useless, and

him soon, I might ha

ith one slip of poison in her tea, I transformed into the grieving friend who consoled her widower. Steve had been easy to manipula

the memory.

rlier that day, I'd already transferred the last of his funds into my account. With

of concern and stepped into the hall. Susan stood there, looking worn but sti

," I said smoothly.

steady. "He's doing better.

a blade had been driven straight into my chest. But

ving past me t

Not by a long shot. Samson and I would have to move faster and

Steven Broo