oom door open an inch at a tim

lton. He was asleep on the small sofa, his massive frame curled

cond, then picked up the folded cashmere throw blanket resting on

scent of vanilla reached him. The tight crease

ry from the desk. She scribbled a fast line across t

d her life one last time. She turned around

r, Dalton's ey

pty penthouse felt suffocating. His eyes darted to the coff

tched

I will dry-clean the coat

hed the corner of his mouth. He carefully folded the small piec

ne and called Simon.

rocessed by noon. Have

train. She finally walked up the cracked ste

pen. The familiar, faint smel

nightgown stepped out of the bedroom. A wh

half-sister, who had lost

u?" Kimora asked, her

cles to smile. She dropped her bag and r

. "I stayed at the library too lat

grabbed Audriana's forearm, holding on tight

's eyes. A fierce determination flared in her chest. S

She gripped Audriana's arm a li

e men's cologne?" Kim

lower lip, her mind racing. "The subway was p

f relief, her heart still hammering against her ribs from the close call. She gently p

d into the cramped bathroom. She stared at he

freezing water onto her face, trying t

ly vibrated. A news alert popped up on the screen.

p the phone. She looked at the screen

Street Tyrant Dalton West

It showed Dalton wrapping his massive coat around her. Her face

numb fingers and clattere

t life w