eparation room, Ivy sat before a mirror, a makeup artist fussing over her. She wore a s

en called in a favor with a contact at the CIA. Ivy Barr's past doesn't just lo

t in, her smile as brittle as spun sugar. She hel

single strand of pearls. Ivy recognized

er voice devoid of warmth. "And you choose today

aned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Just get th

y's gut. Before she could respond, Melanie entered, her arm still in a sling, b

keningly sweet. "A toast. To your new

scent hit her nostrils. It was a fast-acting sedative, tasteless and odorless to the average person

ntly which gla

or her mother's necklace. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice thick with fake sentiment. She allowed the m

she said, her eyes a

triumphant glance. Their prey w

"After you drink, perhaps you should get some air.

there, paid to compromise her, to create a scandal

" Ivy said, ra

sleight of hand worthy of a master magician. Using the reflection in the vanity m

back, Ivy was hold

ng day," Ivy said, her smile bright and guilele

er stepsister. Melanie's eyes widened slightly, caug

creetly typed a message on her p

Acevedo to the g

pressing the glass into Melani

aised the glass. She clinked it agains

. The ceremony was about to begin. But for Melan