ceiling windows of the St. Regis Hotel lobby, ca

atte she had no intention of drinking. Across from her, Arielle

lion," Arielle said, her eyes wide with admiration. "You pra

rhythmic ache that radiated into her back. She pressed her fo

e divorce, but Dorian will force him to sign to pro

he way, I think I saw your new billionaire friend, Aurelio Schwartz, heading into one of the execu

se the restroom," Hannah

n spiked, sharp and vicious, forcing her to stop and lean against a marble pillar. S

ny finally receded,

-end luxury jewelry boutique. The glass

ting on a black velvet bust was a stunning sapph

t boutique. He had pointed to that necklace and whispered in her ear, "I'm going to

d him. She had

away when two figures w

annah's face. Her feet r

ing to his arm, laughing

r. The manager nodded obsequiously and unlocked the center display. He c

ed the heavy jewels and gently drape

en's neck and kissed him deeply, right there in the middle of the sto

at she felt the skin break. A metallic taste flooded her mouth. The pain in her stomach

eathe. She coul

ue, the shopping bag swinging from Branden'

back into the shadows

tantly. A wicked, triumphant gleam

y voice echoed in the corridor. She practically d

ened instantly. He didn't look guilty; he looked

hin to show off the massive sapphire resting against her collarbon

r. The physical pain in her gut was so intense she thought she

en demanded. His voice was cold, treatin

she had sacrificed her career for. The man she had

ice was a raspy whisper, but it didn

e she was. "You look sick. Go home, Hanna

ut a dry, humorless laugh. "I'

anden's shoulder. "Branden, let's go. We s

es away from Hannah

, however, turned her head over her shoulder, touched the

hem disappear ar

tearing through her nerve endings. Her knees buckled. S

warm arm wrapped securely around her waist

cedarwood e

deep voice rumbl

elio Schwartz was looking down at her, his dark ey

't. He effortlessly supported her weight, guiding he

nt of her, his large hands gripping

his voice dangerously quie

stion. He had s

gle tear finally breaking free. "Yes

e muscles in his neck went

arms around her stomach, rocking slightly from the

the tear from her cheek. His touch was shock

his eyes dropping to where her ar

nnah lied, her breathing

believe her, but he didn't push. He stood up, tower

aid softly. "Whenever you are ready

face panicked. "Hannah! There you are! I s

d. He looked back at Hannah on

ed away, disappear

's hands. "Hannah, your hands are li

still there, but the despair was gone. Aurelio's wor

legs were shaky, but her eyes were clear and hard.