he closet wearing an e

arm around her waist. He lifted her of

r face in his neck. Aidan kicked the be

A tight, invisible chai

pulled tight. It dragged Hallie forward.

derground garage. A black Rolls-Royce Phantom

ly into the back seat. H

ugh the metal roof. She sat

er head on Aidan's shoulder. Aidan took her c

will give you the biggest future," he w

hand. Her eyes fil

anhattan. It headed ea

of the Monroe Estate opened. The car

ow of maids stood on the stone steps. Th

reached back and helpe

e handed Cecile a warm towel

the subtle shift in their posture as they attended to Cecile-a swiftness

he butler had handed her a list of rules and walked away. The maids had

he marble steps. He asked her if she was

r head. "I just

repare hot tea. He led Cec

hallway. They stopped at the lar

She had begged Aidan to let her use it as an ar

d with fresh white roses and expensive oil paint

arms around Aidan's neck. "

r back. "It is

ng twisted in her stomach. She hated hers

"I need to go to the study. I

. She watched

ecile's face vanished. Her eyes turned hard and calc

e chain pulled her backward. She floated d