Mason was smart enough to read Aurora's emotional shifts clearly. He knew he'd created this situation himself.

"Just tell me what it'll take to make things right," he said.

Aurora smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, her beautiful face devoid of any real joy.

"Why take beatings from me, Mr. Jackson? Don't you have that sweet, gentle childhood sweetheart waiting?"

Even with his intelligence, Mason couldn't figure how the conversation had suddenly turned to ...