Chapter 26 When Dragons Count Their Golds

• Thunder cracked overhead as Ethan Langford burst into Ramirez's study, rainwater dripping from his thousand-dollar suit. The usual polish was gone, replaced by something raw and desperate. His perfectly styled hair hung in wet strands, and his designer shoes squeaked against the imported marble.
• Maria watched from her position behind Ramirez's chair, cataloging every detail. The tremor in Ethan's manicured hands. The wild look in those calculating eyes. The way his chest heaved with barely controlled panic.
• "Ricardo," Ethan started, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "We need to talk."