al. She couldn't. Without money, signin

er East Side townhouse. Her wet clothes clung to her freezing skin

r open. The heavy

clinking of fine china and low

na f

da, said. Her voice was shrill, dripping with fake sympathy. "You can't keep

od by the marble fireplace. He did

ed, I'm cutting the payments to t

red leather sofa across f

n. You sign this affidavit stating Alaina is mentally unstable and unfit to manage her grandfather's estate. I take over the tr

o hard she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep fro

r mother's life for

swung her heavy, wet canvas bag and sla

k echoed thro

ea sloshed over the rim of her bone-chin

when he saw his daughter dripping rainwater on

ard Alaina. He put on a mask of deep concern, reaching out to grab her h

hand away. The sm

k, her chest heavin

om's life support? For a real estate deal?

at her face. "You selfish brat. This family is going bankrupt. That

sneered, dabbing at the tea stain w

y. The betrayal burned away her fe

ight to the gla

e was doing a second

ripped it down the middle. The sound of tearing paper was deafening in the quiet room. She tore

d down onto his

. If you don't give me that formula, I will make sure no biotech firm in t

o ash before I let you

nd, his palm flying

her father's wrist mid-air. Her grip wa

e," Alaina said, her voice dropping to a de

ay. Warren stumbled b

ards!" Bren

sprinted toward th

raincoats-the same men from the alley-stepped out fro

om and slammed the door. She twisted the lock and shoved her shoulder against h

door. The wood splint

er her bed and dug her fingernails into the

mall, heavy iron box wra

grandfather's life's wor

pen. A large hand reached

r sweater, pressing the cold metal against her bare stomach. S

ed agains

inage pipe attached to the brick exterior, and slid down into