wall of white light erupted as s

weapon. Deep crimson silk, backless, with a plunging neckline that

hand settled on the small of he

muttered in her e

body to block the photographers fro

hispered throug

londe, and carried a glass of champagne

d Elle completely. "I didn't think

s hand twitch a

p for sleep, Allegra,

r eyes raked over the red dress. "A

aid. "It takes conf

or pull her closer. He just checked his watch. "W

, leaving Allegra sm

d designer gowns. Elle felt like a prop. A s

air,"

d. "We just

d air,

e terrace doors with

y. Elle walked to the stone railing and looked out at the Manha

d her. The smell of ciga

t said. The click of his lig

ning against the wall,

Her voice shook. "

died. He slowly lowered the cigarette, staring at h

oo much champ

ard him. "Three years, Hunt. We live together.

ed it under the heel of his shoe. He

t? A contract

commi

g over her. "Elle, don't mistake my generosity for we

ting. "What collateral do you bring to the table

blows. They punched th

" she whispered. "

the terms of the deal. If you want more money, tell P

a meeting with the senator in five m

d his ba

ss around her legs. She watched him walk away, watched the

ed up somewhere between the "merg

and pulled out her phone. Sh

ate P

dialed

stant answered. "I need to see yo

r. Noble already instructed me to draft the

"The separation. I want to discus

. "I... I see. I'll

hun

he back of his town car. He loosen

et box. It wasn't an engagement ring. It was a diamond tennis bracelet. A be

d to give it

d him. She had tr

e partition s

her champagne in one gulp. She

alked back into the party. She smiled at the c