ise

ing, intermittent drone, like a fly in its death throes. It was a stark contr

suffo

he pen looked absurdly fragile in his grip, like a twig waiting to snap. He signed his

ed, sliding the

le. This was a business merger. It was a hostile takeover. I was signing away my freedom

ed ex-fiancée of Holden Callahan. The

. Eloise

ith a heavy thud. It sounded lik

, and placed it in the inside pocket of his jacket, right next to where I knew he kept his g

ady despite the adrenaline crashing through my

hing flicker in his dark eyes. Respect? Or mayb

e not out, I come in. And if I

silence of the car giving me time to harden my heart. It was a s

into a velvet case when t

ois

ld

ir a mess. He looked frantic, manic. The smell of h

you ten times. Jaidyn... it was a false alarm, thank God

m my jewelry box. I

ay," I said. My vo

bubbled up from his throat, high and hysterical. "You're overreacting. It was

lse has," I said, turning to face him.

it. We'll reschedule the wedding.

next month," I said.

ned from his face, leaving h

ha

ing past him toward the door. "I sec

hard, bruising. It was the first t

sed. "Alphons wouldn't

hand on my arm until he released me, stung by m

outed, following me into the hal

ive," I said. I ope

lphons was leaning against the hood of the lead car, smoking

and stopped dea

spered, his voice trembling w

boss," I

pproached Alphons, I felt a strange, radiating heat. He thr

the car do

asn't looking at me. He was looking at

t want blood on my we

dded once.

ulled away, I watched Holden in the rearvi

yes before we turned the co

s mad