Bitter Awakening

The polished metal doors of the elevator slid shut, sealing the suffocating silence inside. Declan stood rooted in place, staring at the spot where Sloane had just stood. The smug, magnanimous satisfaction that had warmed his chest mere moments ago soured into a sharp, biting irritation. He had offered her a reward. A generous one. He expected her to jump at the chance, to revert to the cloying, e