Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 30540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Crap, crap, crap.
People start looking and talking about me as soon as I'm past the doors, and I can see right away why I'm standing out at the worst possible way. Everyone I've seen so far is in tuxes and gowns while I'm still in my red Cueshe Coffee apron.
"Oh my God."
The shrillness of the woman's voice is unfortunately familiar, and I already know it's Tara even before turning around and finding the other girl looking at me like I'm a piece of trash that should be taken away before I start stinking.
"You really are the most desperate social climber there is, aren't you? How did you even manage to get past security?"
That's actually a great question, and I can only guess the Devil has something to do with how I've been able to slip in without any trouble.
"And what's up with that costume?"
"It's a uniform, actually—-"
"Is there a problem here?"
The speed in which Tara's sneer shifts into a coy smile has me blinking, and it's a struggle not to roll my eyes when I hear her speak in an equally coy tone.
"Oh, Mr. Adrianov, hi."
A shadow falls over both of us, and I turn warily as a man steps between Tara and me.
Bluish black hair, tiger-gold eyes, and deeply tanned skin.
I've never been the type to keep track of who's who among the rich and famous, but this Mr. Adrianov, I have no problem recognizing.
I think it was about two months ago that he came to my university to hand over a check, and I remember how his dark, good looks had my heart skipping a beat. I also remember going my merry way after seeing him, since I've never been the type to waste time crushing on guys I consider out of my league.
Tara looks up to the billionaire with a regretful smile. "I feel so bad about admitting this, but I actually know this girl—-"
A part of me is completely enthralled by the way Tara is inching closer and closer to the billionaire...until she ends up with her breasts brushing against his side by the time she finishes speaking.
"—-and I'm absolutely sure she's not on the guest list."
But the other part of me also knows this is my chance to escape while Tara and the billionaire are distracted with each other, and so I slowly make my retreat while the other girl continues to talk shit about me.
Phew!
I'm hoping I can really lose myself in the crowd this time, but nope.
"Hello again."
Holy crap.
Sasha Adrianov is suddenly at my side, but it's his words that make me trip on my own feet, and I'd have fallen flat on my face if not for the billionaire swiftly pulling me back with an arm around my waist.
My heart pounds as my gaze lifts up to his, and I just know...
I just feel it deep down in my guts—-
I'm absolutely certain the fact that his first two words are 'hello again' can't possibly be a coincidence.
It's the Devil finally unmasked, and my mind nearly breaks down when facts and figures I've subconsciously absorbed about him in the past start flashing before my eyes.
Early thirties, multilingual, played basketball in college.
Younger brother of Dmitry Adrianov, and supposedly the more charismatic of the two.
Dated a succession of famously beautiful women, but never reported to have a serious relationship with any of them.
Even though Sasha's reputation is more angelic than devilish, I'm willing to bet my life I'm not mistaken about him, and that's why...
I don't understand...
A gesture from the billionaire has security flanking me on each side, and Tara quickly takes a photo of me as while I'm being led off like I'm some high-risk criminal they can't afford to let loose.
"Don't worry, Sheens," the other girl calls after me. "I'll make sure you'll stay relevant, since you're a famewhore and all."
#12
Three weeks ago
When a secretary was promoted to being the boss's wife, it typically meant a move from working at the office...to living in the lap of luxury. But for Tahey's first anniversary, however, what she asked for was her very own corner office...and the coolest gadgets and software to help her catch the bad guys.
Tahey's skills lied in forensic accounting, which typically involved combing through spreadsheets until she found that one anomalous transaction used to illegally siphon funds from one account to another.
It was mostly repetitive but ultimately rewarding work except on a few special occasions, such as when her brother-in-law asked for Tahey's help to empty one of the secret Cayman accounts of a former senator.
Tahey waited for Sasha's nod before initiating the transfer, and her brother-in-law allowed several moments to expire before using their system, which was protected by numerous layers of security, to make an anonymous call.
"Who the fuck are you?" Rage had Aaron Bronn's unnaturally shrill voice shaking as he spat out each word, and the sound, broadcasted as it was through the room's speakers, reminded Tahey of a spoiled little boy throwing a tantrum.