A Costly Betrayal

Declan leaned in, his tone playful. "If you really want to thank me, you'd better put some real effort into it. Just saying thanks isn't enough for me."

Audrey nearly choked on the pastry she'd just taken a bite of.

She gave Declan a sharp look and whispered, "Do we really have to talk about this now? You know how busy I've been lately."

By the time she finished, her cheeks were so red, it looked