and commanding, faded down the hallway.

ld tap. She splashed water on her face, trying to wash away the lingering

bedroom door. Seeing the coast was clear, she tiptoed down the

bathroom door and peeked inside-Eleonore was still at the sink, her back to th

n was to grab something small and valuable-a watch, some cufflinks, anything she could sell quickly. She pocketed a pair of Avon

e walked over and li

the corner of a da

opened it. The custom Patek Philippe gl

tch was special. On the secondary market, it had to be worth at least a million dollars.

shoved the box into the deep p

bedroom, quietly clos

s, she nearly collided with her mot

on and the obvious bulge in her hoodie pocket. Her gaze flick

, expecting

per. "Be smart about it," she said, her words laced with malice. She di

s face. With her mother's blessing, sh

ty, a penthouse suite at The Plaza Hote

ed wine in his hand, looking out at the glittering tapestry of Manha

er eyes had widened. The shy, beautiful smile that had lit up her face. He had watched her tuck the velvet box into her bag and had thought, even the

ered his eyes. He had come

the suite door b

He hesitated for just a moment-he knew

dark web, as you instructed. That custom Patek Philippe-the one wit

dow. The wine sloshed violently

ha

to her. Eleonore would never sell that watch. Not for any amount of m

s on a black

away from Ethan for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he forced himself to breathe.

care what it costs. Three million. Five. What

hen stopped. "And find out who is s