uet of roses onto the floor. The red petals

ng his height to tower over her. "For seven years, all

I spent the last three years using my contacts to sa

replaced by pure anger. He took another step forward

ned, his voice dropping low, "the Bass and Adler f

into his eyes. "That's between you and t

ly changed his tone. "Carli, come on. Isla

t. She pulled out her phone and t

eavy breathing blasted from the phone sp

dened in horror.

ard and swiped

ved the phone deep into h

arge hand clamped down on Carli's left wrist

ed to pull away, but he was too stron

. He yanked her toward him, trying to d

her ribs. She stopped pulling

et of her tote bag. Her fingers wrapped around a small,

rs. He leaned in, trying t

ed her hand, aimed the nozzle directl

chemical spray hit Vaug

t a blood-cur

his face, clawing at his eyes. He collapsed onto his knees, sc

throbbing wrist. A dark red bruise

the pathetic man

again," Carli said, her voice completely

. She walked into the elevator and pre

d, cutting off

deep breath. Her hands were shaking slightly fro

it, climbed in, and locked the doors. She looked

li slammed her foot on the gas. She drove out of the gara

metal music on the radio