ries to get the door open. When she finally pushed it op

sudden glare triggering a fresh wave of tears. Her legs gave out. She crump

the back bedroom. A moment later, heavy footste

rapped in a floral bathrobe. She stopped dead

y she was okay, but the words were trapped behind

nto her arms, the embrace tight and warm. "You're freezing," Brenda gasped, rubbing her h

the sobs finally breaking free. They were u

ce was trembling. "It's okay. You're home

abric was stiff with dried rain and dirt. Whe

s dotted her hips. Red scratches marred her collarbone.

eyes hardening with a fury that Haylie had never seen bef

s it filled. Steam rose into the small bathroom, fogging

started to scrub. She scrubbed her arms, her chest, her legs. She scrubbed until the skin was raw and pin

ow hard she rubbed, she could still feel his br

in a thick terrycloth robe. She padded into

of steaming milk. "Drink," she ordered, pressin

eramic. The heat seeped into her palms, a sm

ne on the coff

ng onto her wrist and hand. A red welt immediately rose on

th a text message. T

Her fingers trembled as she picked

in a stunning white gown. They were standing on a balcony, the Manhatta

ief. "This is the woman my pare

e phone shook so violently i

. "We are engaged. Don't h

et with a soft thud, the screen remaining lit, Ti

he messages, her face turning red. "That son of

athroom. She made it to the toilet just in time. Her stomach convulsed, but there was nothi

orehead against the cool porcelain. She

. Sunken eyes. Pale, cracked lips. Wet hair h

e door, her voice tight with w

urned the lock. The clic

ed, her voice r

her face. She dried off with a towel and walked ba

g to bed,

t me stay with you.

nded. She just wanted to be alone. She w

dn't turn on the light. She walked to the corner of the be

a constant drumbeat. She closed her eyes, but all she saw w

same backup phone she had clutched in the rain.

er and typed in "Ste

icles. "Corporate Espionage at Steele." "Junior Anal

. "Lock her up." "Greedy bitch." "Hope she rots in jail." And there, attac

ribs. They knew who she was.

ut of bed and yanked the phone cord from the wall. She tur

hin. She lay there, staring into the darkness, waiting fo