TWENTY-ONE
Karen’s apartment was a studio; it was small, but it would work as a crash pad.
One way or another, this was all going to play out in less than two weeks. There were nine days until her deadline was up. Dario would get his money and they could all move on or she’d have to marry him to save their skins.
Karen made coffee and listened to Sassi’s tales from the high seas. Stuart paced, stealing glances at the cash on the coffee table that they’d gotten from the bank before coming back to Karen’s place.
“I’ve been doing nothing but talk since we got back,” Sassi said. “What about you two? Are you back together?”
Stuart stopped pacing to lock eyes on Karen. Sassi recognized the exchange of reticent lovers. Maybe her brother hadn’t come back for her or maybe the couple thought sh
