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Chapter 2

He steeled himself to turn around and see the shock and sadness on her face But when he did, there was sonation Her reaction was a punch to the gut “You knew?”

She ed a weak smile at hiart? There weren’t a lot of reasons for hi breath and crossed her araze, her own eyes defiant “I’et out of there”

Douglass chuckled and Kai, who’d just joined the on?”

Peirce couldn’t look away from her In the teeks he’d been around her, she’d driven hiht ahead, she always acted on soet her killed and she was the ressively stubborn person he’d ever had to interact with This neledge that she’d played hi either

Peirce stepped closer to Eh he could see the way she was gnawing at her lower lip “What do you propose we do about this then, Miss Gregson?”

“I have money I can pay you—”

“You have ten thousand credits lying around?”

Her face blanched, but she stood firm “I have seven thousand,” she said calan to lift the hean protesting and Peirce stepped forward to stop her She glared daggers at theht that was hoas going to pay you off? Not in this lifetime!”

Her hands were tre, but she reached back down and lifted the hem Peirce was treated to quite a show of the lace of her white linen drawers and the delicate, scalloped edges of her petticoats as she worked at the seam of the blue fabric Finally she let out a sound of success and ht shohat she was so proud of

The lady had seellery into the heed at him, even as he tried to keep his voice even No need to er “Clever”

“Suggested by one of the servants loyal toback up “Once I pawn theet the rest of your money”

Peirce looked past her at Douglass and Kai Douglass nodded instantly Da heart

Kai shrugged “I don’t care as long as we get paid,” he said with his traderin Peirce rolled his eyes

“Fine,” he told Emmaline “You have a deal For now”