shattering blow. Paige's smirk flickered, as if she'd been anticipating a

Chloe did

ssion was utterly blank, a mask of perfect, chilling composu

r heels on the marble floor of

gure, her mouth opening and closing, then turned back to the empty room and let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. "Well," sh

polished bronze walls. The mask was gone. Her face was ashen, her jaw clenched so tight a muscle

n does not make a scene. A Hampton woman controls her emoti

finances. She had been raised for this role, groomed to be the perfect, smiling asset. She knew, with

ast the opulent flower arrangements and the murmuring guests, and out in

ion in mind. She ended up on the waterfront path along the East River, the wind whipping strands of

the distant silhouette of the Brooklyn Br

his is wasted

h, with an edge of amusemen

suit that screamed money, but he wore it with a careless ease. He had dark hair, a strong jaw, and eyes so deep and intelligent

and sharp, went through he

as ice. "Wh

s fluid and confident. A faint, knowing smile played on his l

t raised a dozen more questions. She studied him, her mind racing

oice tight. "Are you one o

front of her, forcing her to look up at him. "Did you

is research. The thought sent

her own voice laced with sarcas

d, to the massive diamond still sitting on h

e?" Chloe pressed, a sudden intuiti

n he spoke again, his voice was flat, devoid of its earlier amusement. "Let's just say

st a messenger. He was part of the stor

k. This wasn't just about her and Carter.

voice barely a whisper, "yo

again. "I counted on it. A woman

cted her every move. From the moment she'd opened that text, she had bee

a feeling of being utterly powerless, her lif

gence in his eyes. And in the wreckage of her heart, a wild, reckles