ybach glided to a halt in front of The Grand, a

e humid night air. The head valet, wearing white

give rapid-fire instructions about securing the vehicle. He

s too

f the car. He stepped in front of Kevin, physically blocking him. Ellis le

rist caught the streetlights. She hesitated, her heart beating a stead

d girl wouldn'

r small, cold

leaving no room for her to pull away. He pulled gently, and Arielle stepped out of t

She tried to subtly slide her hand out of his grasp,

pping forward. "I'

oving, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to argue, but Ellis's gaze held the weight of

said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Go up a

e. He shot Arielle a reassuring look before jogging u

f her hand. He led her up the steps and through

m the vaulted ceilings, casting a golden glow over the marble f

d inside, the ambient cha

men in haute couture gowns and men in bespoke tuxedos, Arielle stood in her c

s. Two women in diamonds openly poi

chest. She made her breathing shallow and rapid, the perfect

predatory grace, completely ignoring the stares,

stal flute. She was clinging to the arm of Preston Vaughn, her weight shifted subtly off

laugh at a joke. Her eye

in her throat.

Fear quickly mutated into a desperate need to humiliate. Kimora couldn't let anyone see her sweat. She grabbed Prest

away, blocking their

oing off the marble walls. "Did you actua

turned to watch

ing in profound revulsion. He had dumped her the momen

fing out his chest. "You can't just follow us int

nd held them out, her face a mask of fake pity. "If you're really that hungry

d let out a collecti

d bowed, but from beneath her lashes, she shifted

topped

he lobby seemed to p

k a half-step forward and pulled her firmly behind his

y, buddy," Preston scoffed, pointing a finger at Ellis's chest. "I don't know w

iar and a thief. You should drop

void of any human empathy. He looked at Preston and

ips p

cr

ftly, but it carried the weig