partition hummed as it rose, sealing the driver away and leaving Frederica

ngers had dug in. She turned her head, staring out the wi

ns of his shirt, his chest heaving as if he had run

ght, Frederica?" he asked. His voice was cold, co

s were hollow. "I was clea

to the inside pocket of his suit jacket and pulled ou

refused delive

ology gift" his assistant had tried to deliver a

e said, shoving the box back tow

er, crowding her, pinning her between his body and

. Pink diamonds. Rare

ed her l

struggled, trying t

ght over the red marks his grip had left earlier. The clasp

e!" she cried, he

the leather seat, leaning his fore

ispered, his voice dropping to a d

over the cold sto

Mrs. Reilly, you wea

in the passing streetlights. It felt heavy, lik

ined out of her, replaced by a deep, aching exhaustion.

. For a split second, his mask slipped, revealing something raw. But then

rtment building. Easton got ou

et weighing down her arm. It felt

, and up to the penthouse. She went straigh

ng the bracelet around and around on he

ound cut through the

he caller ID read

red. "Mrs

e was high, panicked. "You have to come!

ammering against her ribs. "I

!" Mrs. Higgins was sobbing

bbed her keys and ran out of the room, the pink diamonds flas