"What's this? Already eager to burn bridges?"
The words dripped with disdain and teasing, leaving Cecilia momentarily stunned.
Blaze continued, his tone sharpening, "Or is that your plan? Your father gets better, and then you hand me a blank check before both of you take off?"
The thought of Cecilia rushing to leave him, of trying to sever ties, made his chest tighten painfully. That ache stoked the flames of anger deep in his heart, so even his words carried a hint of gunpowder.
"Can you stop assuming things about me? I want to pay you back. That's a good thing!" Cecilia shot back, flustered.
"Then pay. Twenty-seven million. Not a cent less." Blaze glanced at her, his effort to restrain his anger obvious.
Cecilia froze. Twenty-seven million—a sum that could almost drain the entire MAPLE CO. account. She fumbled with her pale, slender fingers. "Um… is there… a deadline?"
