Dont make it so easy for him to have you. Teddy likes the thrill of the chase.
A key scraped inside the door lock. Sarah froze. They were coming inside!
Run.
Where?
Sarahs heart hammered in her chest. She swept her gaze back and forth. Sofa. Door. Desk. Toilet. Her feet itched to go one direction but her brain argued another route would be safer.z
Think.
But Mr. McDonough, the woman pleaded, apparently stopping the mans hand on the doorknob. I told him the truth. He said he loved me. But tonight I saw him with
Step by silent step, Sarah retreated. She did not want to be caught here. Did not want to have to explain to anyone why she was in Teddys suite. Being an invited guest sounded like a lousy excuse right about now. And being the bartered payoff for her fathers debt? Could these people take one look at her and guess how shed been duped? Would they laugh at her? Spread rumors? Blame her? How could she possibly defend herself? The woman outside was talking about love. And shedShed
The lock snapped open. Oh, hell. Sarah swung open the closet door and ducked inside. She closed the door behind her and hunkered down behind a row of tobacco-scented suits, clinging to the back wall of the closet, merging with the shadows, holding her breath in the darkness as the outside door opened and the couple came into the suite.
Their voices became clear, their actions easier to judge by the sounds they made. The woman was clearly upset. The man handed her a tissue or handkerchief and offered to pour her a drink. The woman sat on the leather couch. Just water, thanks.
The man crossed to the connecting doors between the suites and paused, as though wondering why theyd been left open. Sarah heard a click and a grate as he closed and locked the connecting doors. Her stomach tumbled. She curled her arms around her bent knees and forced herself to breathe evenly, silently, through her open mouth. She was trapped.
There. The man crossed back into the room. I told you Teddy was gone. Theres no other woman here for you to fret about.
Sarahs cheeks heated with embarrassment, then grew cold as she listened to more of the
sad repercussions of her uncharacteristically impulsive actions.
Im not making this up, you know, the woman went on. I really am pregnant.
The sofa creaked again. He was sitting beside her. Comforting her? So youre carrying the heir to the Wolfe International fortune?
I dont think of it like that. To me, its just Teddys baby.
Teddy had fathered a baby? And hed put the moves on Sarah? That was just what I needed.
Creep. Bastard. Sarah seethed in silence.
Dawn, you understand that Teddys father is very traditional in a number of ways, despite his innovative business ideas. Family means as much to him as his reputation does. Hed expect Teddy to marry you. Hed want you and Teddy to move back to London.
But thats what I want. The woman named Dawn sniffed, sounding hopeful. I mean, I could live in London or anywhere he wants. I know he doesnt want to be tied down, and he has so many responsibilities here at the casino
The casino can run just fine without him. Better, in fact.
Better? What do you mean?
Mr. McDonough of the deep accent and solicitous voice scoffed. It was a derisive sound, full of contempt. But was it meant for Dawn? Or for Teddy? Fathering a grandchild for Mr. Wolfe would be the one thing Teddy could do to get back in his fathers good graces.
Dawn sniffed. What are you talking about?
Here. Rest your head. Go on, lie down. The man named McDonough soothed away the concerns his hushed aside had brought on. Ill have a talk with Teddy. Hes thirty years old. He needs to grow up one day. Im sure he has feelings for you. He was consoling her, holding her perhaps, tucking her in to sleep off her distress. If only Teddy had such a heart. If only her father could remember what real caring meant. Ill take care of everything, he promised. You just leave it all up to me.
The sofa creaked.
What are you doing? What is?
Thwap. Thwap.
Sarah lurched inside her sandals. She pressed her hand tightly over her mouth to keep from crying out.
She knew that sound.
Gunshots. Muffled by a suppressor, but no less distinct.
Her mother was a cop. Commissioner of KCPD.
Her brother was a cop. Used to be, at any rate.
Her brothers best friend and half the people she knew were cops. Shed been around guns all her adult life.
Someone had been shot.
It was way too quiet in the other room. The crying had stopped.
Sarahs pulse throbbed in her ears, making it difficult to hear the words from the other room as the weight shifted on the sofa. You were a damned inconvenience, Dawn. But I think now youll serve my purpose very well.
When Sarah heard footsteps tapping over the tile floor in the bathrooma whole half a room awayshe scrambled across the closet and knelt on her hands and knees, peering through the slats at the door.
Oh, God. Oh, my God.
Dawn, a pretty woman shed seen working in the casino on previous visits, lay across the couch, her head nestled against a pillow, her arm dangling to the floor. The long, blond hair at her temple was matting with sticky crimson.