he gala. It landed on a helipad

tel," she said as

," Augustine said. "We

s of glass and steel. It wa

d as Marta set a plate of

ugustine said. He was already eating, cutti

she announced. "Until yo

en look up.

eat. Her stomach cramped. The sm

. He wiped his mouth

ulled out

e he

idn't

ric

nd hauled her off the sofa. He dragged her to the t

the phone in fr

feed. Security foota

r father. He looked frail, his hand

nocked the tray off the table. The other sh

sped.

s started

creamed at the p

paused t

Protection costs money. Money comes from

n. He scooped up so

it to

el the body that's

Then at the frozen image

ned her

iliating. It was intim

ming down her face. She ch

of gravy from her lip with his thumb. "N

de to the Plaza

d window. New York flash

, a mix of the forc

hed over and took her hand. His palm wa

y," she w

Tonight you ar

ck of the line for the red carpet.

the window at the c

eath h

looked dashing

wasn'

A dress she recognized. It was a custom Valentino. Her custom

d, laughing at som

Her st

rld st

ith her when Dad was arrested. The one

r dress. She was h

reathed. "N

sion t

d for the

Augusti

hrieked. "That bitc

wed at

t the centra

You go out there now, you look like the crazy ex.

now, hitting the window. Grant

she panicked

yanked her away from the window, p

up, Ai

t m

ead and crushed