g inside. The metal clasp snapped shut with a loud, sh

heel and walked to

ctly into the metal groove of the elevator track. She jerke

ator doo

lack suits and clear earpieces. Their broad shoulde

d forward. He raised a thick,

s Elia Tate?"

She stepped to the right, trying to walk around him. Anothe

, lady," the lead guard said. His heavy

ia said. Her voice shook,

took half a step closer,

e wrist. His rough, calloused palm

r arm back with

arble floor. The bag popped open. Her lipstick and compact powder spilled ou

ngers were stiff and freezing. She pressed her thumb to t

ialed

ency?" the operator's ca

detaining me and physically assaulting me," Adelia said rapidly. Her

gers struck her hand, knocking the device from her grip. The phone hit the marble floor with a si

Her shoulder slammed hard into the dry

behind the station desk. The lead guard turned and glared at

d through the hospital's soundproof windows.

ers charged out, wearing tactical vests. The h

e taller officer shouted. He

slowly raised their han

ined a bright flashlight over Adelia's torn

asked. Adelia took a deep, ragged b

he Cooper family security captain yelled

aid, staring coldly at the captain. "I am p

lia was escorted into the

hrough her thin dress and straight into her bones. Ne

in the road sent a wave of nausea crashing through Adelia's sto

d at the 19

like burnt coffee and old sweat. The

h fluorescent lights above buzzed loudly, burnin

as soggy. She muttered a thank you but did not drink. She only wrapped

t, an officer pointed her

rostitute sitting a few feet away stared

er phone and dialed

tant answered. The rhythmic beeping of hospi

He cannot leave the hospital to bail you out toni

nd scraped against her dry throat, triggerin

ded th

legs. The deep autumn chill of New York sank into her skin. She shi