y vase shattered agains

ry of the Hudson Long Island Estate. Shards of pri

e gripped his heavy wooden cane with both hands, glaring at the

a trembling finger at Baron, who stood casually near the firepla

uit pulled tight across his broad shou

his voice cold and flat. "She signed the papers.

ne. "You are arrogant and blind! One day, you will choke

eek. "I will never regret getting rid of a manipulat

Baron. She wore a pale pink cashmere sweater, looking frag

and gently grasp

ce trembling perfectly. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have come back. If I have

es. His gaze cut through h

dard," the old man spat. "You have no right

ed over her lashes, and she buri

ling her tight against him. His eyes blazed

dropping to a dangerous register. "I came here to inform

d the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a thi

d it onto

ged. "Fine. But as the head of the Family Tr

"What are you

red. "I am placing it under a mandatory four-year cooling-off period. F

fingers digging pain

r. continued, his voice echoing with absolute authority, "I will strip you of your i

d his knuckles popped. "You're insane. You're ho

tingly tight. Arthur Vance, standin

s? She had to wait four years to be the official Mrs. Hudson?

wet. "Baron... it's okay. I can wait. I

s flared, masking the deep, confusing irritation

econd that clock runs out, I am marrying C

ed out of the library. The heavy oak doors slammed shut behin

Baron pulled his phone from his poc

Paris apart. Find Ellyn Martinez. I want her dragged back here to sign a volunta

hake the tail. We found out she used cash at an airport counter to buy a ticket to Paris, but when our contacts in Paris went to intercept

ed walking.

m. The skin on his knuckles split, leaving a smear of blood

lapsed into his leather chair. He l

t underground hacker Ellyn had befriended years ago. The old man

old man whispered to the e

lted into summers. The memory of the scarred, path

ssed in the b