herself into the backseat. She slammed the door shut, cutting of

losed her eyes. Her entire body felt

d her phone. Her fingertips brushe

ed, pulli

no company logo. No title. Just two words printed in sleek, embos

ssing against hers. He had slipped it into her open bag without her even noticing, his long fingers br

iked again. She shoved the card deep into the bottom zipper pocket o

lled up to the curb of a luxury

e watched the numbers climb, feeling a deep, physical r

apartment was pitch black. The only light came from the

kicked off her heels, her bare feet

living room and went straight into

ay cases filled with diamonds stared back at her. A bitter taste coated her tongue. These weren't h

ner. She dragged out a faded black canvas duffel bag. It was the ba

ide. Plain cotton t-shirts. A pair of jeans. He

e finally started packing. Suddenly, the electronic lock on the front door beeped. Heavy, uneven footsteps echoed in the foyer. Chris

ame, smelling of expensive scotch and stale perfume.

ness made Christen squint. Brendon's eyes imme

crossed the room in

are you doing

y sweater and shoved it into the bag. "I'm goi

wrist like an iron cuff. He squeezed hard enough to ma

low and threatening. "We have the family charity

omach churn again. She yanked her arm w

n and stared strai

your puppe

e defaulted to his usual tactic. His face softened into a mask of f

the side, dodging his hand

aid, her voice dropping

s face, replaced by a dark, ugly flush. He realized, in that second

the handles, hoisted it over her shoulder, an