the coughing subsided, leaving h

eer terror in her empty stomac

heavy dining chair, hauling

d into the grand foyer, aiming for the

old brass of the banister when

like a thundercloud. He had forg

im standing there was like

beat. Black spots

he base of the stairs, her body hitting the

rby locker. Hermes Birkin bag slipped

open. Her wallet, keys, and lips

e very bottom was the u

stopped right against the toe

conscious body. He assumed it was anot

icion instantly piqued by the hidden item, he slowly bent down, his long fingers snatching the envelope from the floor. W

ly swept over the bl

e body we

n stark white letters was the name: Janelle Wheeler

dinner and her desperate refusal to d

as pr

urderous rage hijacke

pose. He thought she was trying to use a child to

g the collar of Janelle's sweater in a white-knuckle

ared, his voice shaking

ed into the foyer, freezing i

onto the marble. She groaned,

und photo and threw it d

ryant barked at the security guards who had

d, lifting Janelle

rivate medical team. I want them here at eight o'

swallowed h

rasite out of her," Bryant said, his v

on the ultrasound photo, grinding into the glossy paper and leavi

ds tossed Janelle

t. The deadbolt clicked into p