ng boutique. Her heart was pounding a frantic rhythm

t the heavy glass doors and

heaving as she pulled in sharp, ragged breaths of the

ward the curb

when sh

g zone was a massive, black Ca

a cigarette. He wore a tailored charcoal suit, his tie

eyes narrowed. He dropped the cigarette onto the pa

d her, his jaw s

is hand shot out. His fingers clamped

ce low and dangerous. "The manager just texted me. She said

t the pressure digging into her muscle,

n at his hand, then up at his fa

rm backward with

ght red handprint instantly

t vibrated with a lethal intensity. "Don't ever touch me

ard f

slipped. His eyes widened, and a flash

ver lost. He quickly recovered, his face

er. "You're having a psychotic break. This anniversary anxiet

her shoulder, trying to force her i

ift step back, d

finger toward the glas

spat, the words tasting like poison on her

tely drained fro

en. The realization hit him like a phys

ness suits and tourists with shopping bags turned their heads, drawn t

dience. His vanity flar

voice dropping to a vici

ly on! Without the Cunningham family trust fund, you are nothing

the last remaining thre

tos from the burner account. She saw the crumpled suit on

She twisted her torso, dr

sw

weight of her bod

AC

e was deafening. It cracked through the air, sharp

ow snapped Bernhard

frame knocking against t

nlookers. A woman covered her mouth. A man in a

of a handprint was already swelling on his left cheek. His eyes were wide w

, the glass doors of

le ra

e brown coffee stain covered her chest. She was sobbing hyst

!" Briell

unged forward, throwing her arms around

vely wrapped around Briel

tive gesture. I

ach other in the middle of Fift

A harsh, jagged laugh

e crowd of peopl

ging clear over the street noise. "I wish the che

e. He pointed a shaking finger

he roared. "You are nothing wit

he gave him one last look o

ab was just pulling up to the light. She grabbed the d

he ordered

lurched forward, leaving Bernhard