e instinct than necessity. The air on Long Island was cleaner, quieter than in the city, but she felt a strange tension, a subtle hum of activity that she couldn't place. A

deep within the Decker Capital buildi

o a screen displaying a satellite image of Aria's location. "Proceeding o

o Hayes. Over the secure line, Hayes's voice was dangerously calm.

thought she was running back to Ethan. The misund

No one goes in or out without my authorizat

iliar, tree-lined drive. The grand house, which had once represented a dream,

silent on the flagstone path leading to the back garden. She knew their routine. On a

heir cloying scent filling the air. Their vo

ist?" Seraphina was whining. "It's my-I mean, Aria's-engagem

"Of course, my sweet. This is

her voice turning petulant. "What does a girl from the Rust Belt kno

finalized and the families are linked, we'll find a way for Aria to... disa

irmation that nothing had changed. Any lingering

sed her face into a mask of placid calm

oon, Mother.

shock. They both spun around, their teacups rattlin

ere? I thought you were run

sk of disapproval. "You're tracking dirt all over my terrace.

se-flavored macarons from the tiered tray, and examined it for a moment. Then, with

taining the front of Sera

n, haven't you, Seraphina?" she said, her voice dripping with fal