“Why are you warning me, Daniel?” I asked.

“Because I’m your friend,” he said. “And because Elias is going too far.”

I wanted to believe him.

But there was something in his tone—a calculated softness—that made me uneasy.

“I have to go,” I said.

“Let me know if you need money,” Daniel said. “I can wire something to a private account.”

“No,” I said. “Thank you, but no.”

I ended the call and stared at the blank screen.

If I took money from Daniel, Elias would find out, and Daniel’s career would be next.

Or worse, I would owe Daniel a debt I could never pay.

I stood up and walked to the window.

The rain was coming down harder now, washing over the gray pavement below.

I had less than two hundred dollars in cash in my purse.

My rent was paid for the month, but next month was only three weeks away.

I needed to find something I could sell.

I didn’t have jewelry; I had left all the diamonds Elias bought me on the dresser in our townhouse.