Claimed By My Ex's Ruthless Brother

an cam

a door that was not quite closed. It was the u

, carpeted corridor of The Carlyle's top

heavy, a small, solid weight-t

th's room. And that was not her v

the elevator, vanished. The air in her lungs

watch nestled inside its velvet cradle was meant to say everything she felt about the life they we

keycard. She'd want

arpet, pulling her toward the sound. Ea

t a few inches. An invitation

e crack, s

thm she recognized intimately-but over someone

ned across his pillows. Pillows Gisell

dra

est f

movements were stiff. Robotic. A machine performing

the air from Giselle's lungs with methodical precision. She clamped a

nneth's voice, ro

rmula from her uncle, it's ov

d away the possibility of tears settled in its place. Her hand trembled as it du

me

de

king eye. The screen filled with their tangled bod

that was suddenly, grotesquely obvious. "And you have

an anchor. She held the phone steady, recording every word, ever

form

ey, it was worthless. Her uncle had the data, but only

ulled

ent

pulling the door shut until i

lid down to the floor. The Patek Philippe box sat on the

floral pattern of the carpet. An intricate design

hed herself up. Her limbs felt heavy, dis

-the one for Kenneth, the one she'd carried up with such hope-and

dn't g

ht, hailed a cab, and gave the drive

imson

p was fire. She welcomed it. She ordered another. And another. The al

lid into her booth. He

't be drinking alone," he slurre

clamped around his wrist. The m

eside their booth. His presence suck

could see was a chiseled ja

aid. The words were quiet.

the suit sc

ized Giselle. She reached out, her fingers tangli

she murmured, her voice husk

predatory amusement. He leaned in, his breath

ow rumble that vi

dea who I am, futu

leasing timber of his voice. She surg

, fierce. It tasted

ent, he w

back of her head, and he deepened

scooped her into his arms as if she weighed nothing. He car

n, woodsy scent of his cologne and the wor