Page 140 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
But a bigger, meaner hand takes her forearm. “You don’t abuse the foundation’s employees, especially not in the office,” Tolyan says, inexorably pulling her back.
“How dare you!” She struggles, but she might as well be struggling against a silverback. “Do you know who I am?”
His cool, disinterested gaze sweeps over her. “Of course. Everybody knows all the third-rate actresses who desperately need to ride Ryder Reed’s coattails to fame.”
Audrey turns redder than her dress. “You…you…” Suddenly she puts on a seductive smile. “You wouldn’t abuse a woman, would you?”
“I see no woman. Just someone who’s overstayed her welcome.” He swings her around and propels her with enough force to make her take a couple of quick tottering steps toward the lobby. “Now leave.”
She glares at me, one hand rubbing her arm. “You’re going to regret this. Do you think Tony’s with you because he cares about you? He’s—”
“Enough.” The word sounds like a knife. “If you don’t shut up and get out now, you won’t be able to take any more roles that require a pretty face.”
She pales under the artful makeup. “Bastard.” She storms away, those heels hitting the floor with more force than necessary.
“Thank you,” I say.
Tolyan merely stares at me. The frigid look in his pale blue eyes makes me shiver. He isn’t looking at me like a coworker. He is looking at me like a bug he can’t decide whether to squash or not. “Your uncle is sending a car for you in half an hour,” he finally says.
“Um… What?”
“He decided to make a donation and requested that you go pick up the check in person. And have lunch with him as well.”
You gotta be kidding.I thought he’d given up, but I guess not. He was just looking for another way to bend me to his will. “No,” I say.
“Pardon?” The two quiet syllables from Tolyan’s lips sound more threatening than “I’ll kill you.” How does he do that?
“He can mail it, or his driver can bring it in.”
“Those were not the terms Lizochka agreed to.”
I lick my dry lips. “But…”
“It’s your uncle, Iris. Is there a problem?”
Tolyan has no idea.
“He said if you don’t come, no donation. Lizochka has already earmarked the money for the children’s medical fund. He was very specific.”
I close my eyes. Sam has totally outmaneuvered me. The last thing I want to do is air my dirty laundry to Elizabeth. Or fail her in this. I remember the letter from the mother of the girl who had her arm saved because of the foundation. I can’t not do this.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll go. But if I’m not back by two…” I hesitate, unsure how to phrase the next part.
“Yes?”
“Send someone to get me,” I say, trying to hide my nerves. “Please.”
