ded the concrete stairwell of the linen chute. Fresh blood soaked through th

t gave way, spilling her out into the freezing, torrential rain of the Manhattan

but the street was empty. She stumbled toward the avenue, her vision swimming with black spots, and threw her han

up to the towering glass facade of

ng crystal chandeliers of the lobby burned her eyes.

leather sofa was Marle

mpagne flute. She sneered, tossing a thick

e said, her voice drip

hallway leading to the master bedroom. She just

er path. The larger one shoved his hands a

r hard, her hip bone cr

, standing up and towering over

y protecting her empty womb from the impact. She plan

ants. A cruel smile twisted her lips. She stepped forward and

o violently. The stile

ped up. Her eyes

ered, her voice a raspy, terrifying sc

d in her glass. She waved her hand frantically at

rms. They dragged her backward an

ed shut behind her, the loc

know how long, but her feet carried her to the Port

into the freezing, wet sand

black, violent expanse of churning water. T

ed the silver locket she had managed to snatch from t

rm swirled around her, the freezing rain instan

water. Her baby was gone. Unnamed. Unh

. There was no air

et. It hit the wet s

lked f

knees. The cold was a physical blade slicing into her sk

ed over her shoulder

gs burned, screaming for oxygen. The current

limbs go limp, closing her eyes

the wate

rkness. Thick, muscular arms wrapped

yanked h

d in. She thrashed, her elbows striking

inning her arms to her sides. He kicked his l

oke the

ng and vomiting sea

man's face. She saw a deep, jagged

houlder like a ragdoll. He waded through the crashing s

hes. Her core temperature plummeted.

ainst the man's wet back, and