air, freezing the blo

n, Preston's face flushed a violent, ugly crimson. He was t

He pointed wildly at the ceiling. "I am a Silver Tier member here! Manag

Grand sprinted across the marble floor. Sweat b

away from Ellis, his knees visibly shaking. He bent at th

voice echoing in the dead silent room. "I

dropped l

rn

ho had been laughing a moment ago physical

lucent white. His brain short-circuited. He stared at the man in front of him, finally connecti

d, and she grabbed Preston's jacket to keep from co

the manager's apology. He

nd. He snapped his finger

d tactical earpieces surged from the hidden alcoves of the lobby. They

anicked, putting his h

. Preston let out a high-pitched scream of agony as he was forced to bend double. He tried to struggl

ed hysterically. Her custom diamond hairpin fell from her hair, hitting the floor. A guard's

membership is under immediate and permanent review." He then turned slightly, bowing hi

toward the rear service

er eyes locked onto Arielle, who was still standing safely beh

he terrified facade drop for a fraction of a second. The

absolute despair before the service

y the second his eyes found Arielle. He still held he

e asked, his voice droppin

s. She gave a small, jerky shake of her head, her

forward, his grip on her hand secure, and walked straight toward the ba

in dark gold. It had no buttons. It was th

ing off his gold-rimmed glasses. He aligned his righ

A soft ding chimed, and the heav

losed, sealing them in a small, plush

ot upward with

es. She stumbled backward, her boots

ng firmly around her waist to catch her. Even through the damp layers of her jacket and sh

he planted her free hand on his chest,

his grip on her waist, pulling

breath hot against the shell o

against her ribs, but thi