ulfstream touched down smoothly on t

e followed Columbus down the stairs

k Cadillac SUV was

The SUV sped out of the airport, merging onto the highway,

w the horizon, the massive, black wrought-iron gates of the estat

gravel driveway. The car pulled up to the fron

put the c

. She stepped out. Her flat s

oed from the front porch. It

ne loo

brother, was walking do

um golf club in his right hand.

oved sideways, planting his body di

Antwan sneered. "The crazy str

eyes. She didn't have the energy for

oulders, trying t

shuffled his feet,

with a gaze so exhausted, so utterly empty, it wa

sal ignited Antwan's tem

his weight and kicke

expensive loafer slammed dir

ked the breath

angled together. She crashed

hrew her right hand

m hit t

n

ing crack echo

ight arm. The pain was so intense her v

he ground, gasping for air. She clutched her right wrist against her c

k front door

rinted out

e you completely lost your mind?" Columbus hissed, his voice a lethal, freezing whip devoid of any pan

n suit jacket. He then turned his cold, calculating gaze to the drive

He reached out and scooped Charlene up into his arms, not out of tender

trembling violently fr

carefully across the backseat. He cli

n, kicking up gravel, as the SUV tore out of th

nbearable. Charlene's breathing grew sh

assed

gain, the harsh fluorescent lights

head slowly on

er bed. His face was twisted into a m