Chapter 1

The heavy scent of Tiffany's expensive perfume still hung in the air of Julian's penthouse, thick and cloying, even after she'd retired to his bedroom. Julian Vance, looking immaculate even in his silk robe, barely glanced at me. He tossed a wad of cash onto the marble countertop. It scattered, crisp hundred-dollar bills fanning out.

“Go to Rossi's,” he said, his voice flat. “Get Tiffany those Italian almond cookies she likes, the ones with the candied orange peel, and that specific brand of Swiss chocolate, dark, 85 percent.”

Rossi's was a high-end deli, miles away, and it was well past midnight. His friends, Kyle Brent and a couple of others I didn't know, lounged on the plush sofas, smirking. Kyle raised his glass in a mock toast.

“Off you go, little errand girl,” Kyle drawled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. They started making quiet bets on how quickly I'd return, or if I'd dare to say no. I said nothing. I simply gathered the money, my face carefully blank. I had to do it. Every errand, every humiliation, was a payment. A payment for my younger sister Chloe's life. Her medical bills were astronomical, and Julian was the only one who could, and would, cover them. This was the deal. My compliance for her next breath. So I picked up my thin coat, the city lights blurring through the massive windows as I walked towards the door. My freedom was a distant, almost unimaginable concept, but Chloe's recovery wasn't. That was real, and it was close. When I returned almost two hours later, the doorman let me in with a pitying look. The apartment was quieter. Julian was on the sofa, Tiffany draped over him, her blonde hair artfully messy against his chest. She was whispering something to him, and he was smiling. She looked up as I placed the deli bag on the coffee table. “Oh, good,” Tiffany said, her voice sweet, like poisoned honey. “I was getting a bit peckish.” Julian finally looked at me, his gaze cold. “Took you long enough,” he said. “Did you get lost, or just enjoy the scenic route in the middle of the night?” He didn't wait for an answer, turning back to Tiffany.