since the Hamptons incident-standard protocol for a liability he couldn't afford to let out of his si

s chair before the m

riage arrangement. And now Kianna-the woman who had already pushed him into

dyguards flanked him. The drive to SoHo took twelve mi

't wait for the receptionist to greet her. She strode past the front desk, her heels clicking an angry

n the door wit

t artist. She looked up, and a flicker of surprise crossed her delicate

she asked, her voi

argeted my client," Kianna said, plant

ile, porcelain way that made you want to protect her. "I'm sorry, I think the

Paris the same month I married Julian. You just happened to go after the one pr

ow what you mean. Julian and I are ancient history. I came back because New

s a modern, industrial-style metal staircase that led down to the lobby. "I thi

g the victim. You deliberately came after my care

her back to the staircase. Her eyes were wide and wet, her posture that of a co

e wat

by one floor below slid open. Julian

had released. The tears were still there, glistening and perfect, but something underneath had shifted. Anticipation. Gena had known Julian was

orners of her lips-there and gone so fast Kianna almost missed it. It was the most venomous e

poisonous whisper that only Kianna could

hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Gena pull

ngle was perfect. It looked exactly like Kianna was

piercing, ter

threw herse

ing limbs and sickening thuds. She landed in a crumpled heap on the conc

the stairs, her hand still outst

EN

bodyguards aside and sprinted to Gena's side, dropping to his knees

"Julian," she whispered, her voice weak and broken. "Don't... d

e gasoline on

es was not just anger. It was pure, unadultera

d out from a side office, screamin

in Julian's arms, saw the blood, and then her

"You did this! After everything she's been throu

ds to call an ambulance. As he carried her toward the door, he paused and l

was colder

er pray s

the world collapsing around her. She was surrounded