made this an official business deal was the only way she’d be able to stomach his help. It was just
business. Taking those penalties away made it a favor, and she was done depending on favors from
him.
“I see. And how much does one’s dignity cost?”
“I’d like thirty-five thousand dollars.”
His jaw ticked. “For?”
She met his challenging stare and tightened her lips. That was her business.
He sighed. “Evelyn, when an establishment finances another’s endeavors, they’re foolish not to
question the investment.”
“A second ago you were prepared to offer me anything I wanted. I don’t see why my intentions
should suddenly be an issue. This is just you being nosy. I’m not falling for it. Thirty-five thousand
dollars is nothing to you. It’s a new beginning for someone like me. Give me the satisfaction of at
least believing you know I am capable of taking care of myself. I’m practical and I’m not stupid. Trust me to have a plan and I’ll trust you to treat me fairly, like you would any other person asking you to
invest in their future.”
Those intimidating onyx eyes narrowed. “You’re not any other person. Look at it as legal extortion.
I have what you want. I’ll trade you thirty-five thousand dollars for a bit of information.”
Anger bloomed inside of her. Extortion indeed. She would not let him run her life. “I’ll just go to a bank then,” she bluffed.
“With what? You have no social security number, no identification, no birth certificate.”
The molars in the back of her mouth clicked together. “I know you have those things. You’re trying
to manipulate me and, by doing so, only losing more of my respect.”
He’d looked into getting her legal documents months ago. For him to be able to place a bank
account in her name, he’d have needed to obtain some form of identification for her. Likely, he’d been
holding it, too cowardly to hand over the documents before the big trade with Parker. If she had an ID, she could’ve fled a lot faster. That was Lucian, always the thinker and planner.
“I do,” he agreed shamelessly.
“It wouldn’t take long for me to go to a federal building and report them stolen. The numbers are on
record, Lucian. Hard part’s over. All you’re doing is wasting my time. To be honest, your pettiness
reeks of desperation.”
His desk drawer slid open and snapped shut. Papers fluttered to the surface of his desk. He glared at
her. “There.”
Scout gazed at the documents. A neatly printed card with blue scroll trim filled her vision. Evelyn
Scottlynn Keats. Nine digits formed her social security number below the neatly typed name. She was
real!
Emotion had her chin trembling. So long she’d waited for such validation of her existence. So many
obstacles could be overcome with those simple pieces of paper.
With unsteady fingers, she reached for the documents and stilled when Lucian’s firm hand caught
her wrist. Her gaze jerked to his.
The respect she held for him was in shreds, but giving her these documents that were rightfully hers
mended a bit of the damage. She was gambling with his affections, asking for these things. If he didn’t give them to her, he would annihilate any remaining faith she had in his goodness. She hated him for
what he’d done, but deep down believed there was good behind the man. If he was so desperate to help
her, it would have to be on her terms .
Don’t deny me, Lucian. Please. She waited him out.
“I’ll help you. But our other issues are far from concluded. Eventually we need to talk about what
happened.”
She glared at him and shook off his hold. “I’ll ask that you keep your hands to yourself.”
“And I’ll ask that you drop the haughty performance you’ve been affecting since you got here.”
Fingers snatching up the papers, Scout quickly removed her body from within his reach. Her brow
tightened and her voice was dangerously close to cracking with emotion. “It’s not an act. These are my papers and I deserve them. You have no right to keep them from me.”
“And what of my money? Do you deserve that as well?”
“All I asked for was a loan. You can afford it. Either you help me or I go somewhere else.”
“With what credit, Ms. Keats? No bank will sign over that amount of money without a cosigner.”
He was likely right. He was also being mean and spiteful on purpose. Two could play that game. “I
could always find another wealthy man willing to help me. After all, it was you who taught me
everything is for sale.”
He growled. “Watch yourself, Ms. Keats. I’m in no frame of mind to be pushed.”
“Lucian,” she took a deep breath. “I’m not forfeiting my morals for money. Even you can’t afford them. You either agree to my terms and help me with a loan, or I’ll figure out another way.”
“Another way for what?” he snapped.
She wouldn’t give him more information than necessary. She needed to do this for herself and if he