Chapter 4

I stared at the blank check in Victor Cross’s hand.

Six years ago, I had refused to let his family buy my silence. I would not let them buy Ruby now.

"No."

Victor studied me as if I had answered a simple question incorrectly.

"I haven’t written an amount."

"You could fill every line with zeros. My daughter isn’t for sale."

Julian stepped between us.

"Put the checkbook away."

Victor finally looked at him.

"We need to discuss this somewhere private."

Camera flashes slipped through the gaps in the lobby curtains. I led them into the empty breakfast room and…