ears

nch Luxury Hotel in Manhattan. She pulled the faded gray housekeeping unif

her eyes. She took a slow, deep breat

g at the foot of her hospital bed six years ago, his

ly trying to dislodge the memory. She grabbed the handle of

stepped into the hallway. Her heel

ff looked at her. Maria grabbed a gold-rimmed work

lculated edge. Ever since Breanna had accidentally spotted Maria skimming from the housekeeping tip poo

limits to regular staff. But if she refused, Maria would doc

nodded s

o the service elevator and hi

instantly swallowed the sound of the cart's whe

doors. The heavy click sent a jolt of pure terror straight i

he cart into the massive, sunlit living r

brass incense burner sat. A thin ribbon

. She moved to the wet bar and spr

er, her lungs s

ral heat bloomed in the center of her chest and spread

ad coated the ins

ady herself. Her fingers slipped. Her elbow k

he floor, hitting the th

tric lock on the front door bee

ight from Tokyo. His suit jacket was slung over his shoulder

dead in h

air. The sweet, heavy aroma of a chemic

ong strides into the center of the room. He saw th

turned her head. Her glazed, unfocuse

of drugged, terrifying familiarity slammed into her. Part of her screamed to run, flashing back to the brutal heat of that night six years ago

he toe of her cheap shoe caught the

in. He reached out and ca

urning body crash

a drowning woman grabbing a lifeline, her lips parti

l face pressed against his chest. The tempe