The only other time I saw this woman was twenty years ago. She’s barely aged in that time, but I look much different than the malnourished child who caught sight of her through a cracked door during an unexpected visit to my parents’ house. There’s no way someone looking at me can connect me to that child. No way at all.

“Yes, everyone has an origin story,” she continues breezily, as if we’re just two friends having a chat. “Except you.”

“I’m nobody.” I say it slowly, fighting not to snap back and sound defensive. I have worked hard to be nobody, to put my past behind me. I always knew being back in Sabine Valley would rattle the skeletons in my closet, but it’s a small price to pay in order to be part of Abel Paine’s plan to bring the city to its knees.

“Nobody,” Aisling repeats. She props her hip against the desk. “I think you’re somebody, Shiloh. I’d look into your past even if my daughter weren’t fond of you. And Monroe is fond of you.” She narrows green eyes so like her daughter’s. “I’ll do anything to protect my daughters.”

Apparently that protection only extends to your daughters, not anyone else’s.

I shut the thought down before it can show on my face. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“See that you do.” She straightens and heads for the door, opening it just as Monroe slips back into the office. “See you tomorrow, darling.”

“Sure.” Monroe flips her hair over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”

Aisling doesn’t know. She can’t know. If she had a clue who I really am, where I really come from, she’d have me removed on the spot, and to hell with the consequences. I’m a blight on the Amazon claim to perfection—or rather, my parents were. Then again, maybe I’m overstating my own importance. I’m just a single woman with a troubled past. Ultimately, I am a cog in the machine. Hardly worth getting worked up over, even if Monroe is fond of me.

“Shiloh.”

I give myself a mental shake. “What can I help you with, Monroe?”

She smiles. Impossible not to notice how perfect her lips are, especially when she’s painted them a bright apple red. Everything about Monroe is perfect. She’s gorgeous, has a body that’s built deceptively strong, and she practically breathes seduction.

I want to hate her.

I really do.

She’s the enemy, and I’ll never forget that, but she’s also… I give myself another mental shake. No use thinking about that, either.