ing against her ribs like a trapped bird. She had to get

, leaving the surface shining like a mirror under the overhead

crack echoed up the stairwell - but it wasn't her bone. It was the strap of her custom-made shoe

shot up her leg, but the adrenaline was stronger. She didn't have t

delicate straps cutting into her fingers as she pulled. She grab

but it grounded her. She bolted down the rest of the stairs, her feet slappi

of leather soles on marble. Bennett was descending

the step. Sitting there, alone and glittering under the light, was a

er sole, finding a line of tiny, engraved text. A custom signature. His expression shifted, his eyes unreadabl

ts. Her smile was tight, her eyes sharp. Isabelle slipped in through a side door,

d the doorway. The room went quiet for a split second. Every he

as if searching for something. Or someone. Then, without a word to anyone, he turned

the crowd. "What was that

unexplained appearance. But the moment

her heart hammering. He hadn't given the shoe to any

. She dashed out the hotel's side entrance, the cold pavement biting into her bare feet. Sh