ot up from

lass tipped over and shattered against the floor. The sh

dy m

feet. She stared straight into Declan'

raspy but violently steady. "I don't reg

it the room

eyes vanished. It was instantly re

ked the co

ched against the floor, sli

air on Annette's arms stand up. He didn't say a word. He turned his back a

ure murder. She grabbed her de

osphere was c

ily, and walked toward the front

o a small, private alcove near the coat check.

She slid down the wall and hit the floor, burying her f

and handed her a gla

ra asked, her voice tight.

. "I'm tired of being looke

hone out of her purse and tapped th

front page of the W

k letters: Declan Carter Assumes F

ispered. "His net worth is a number normal people can't even comprehend. He owns half t

read the words 'corporate acquisit

al reminder. She had destroyed her own life, her own reputation, just to ma

him this throne

way. She forced her face i

ng to do with m

r of Annette's dress. She sighed

fix my makeup," Annette said, p

s completely empty. The dim yellow wall scon

e reached into the deep pocket of her coat and pu

nd swallowed them dry. The pills were large and chalky, scratching her throat as she forced them down. A w

cold draft h

y metal fire door creaked open. T

e heavy air inside the restau

rd the door and

ere were no streetlights here. Only the faint, bleeding neon colors f

ace. She closed her eye

ssive, muscular arm shot out

ed around her wais