, encasing Elena in a world

keup slightly smudged, but her eyes burning with a terrifying clarity. The de

hit her, cool and sharp against her flushed skin. It was the breath of freedom. The city

se, just her phone. I

ingers steady. She didn't hesitate. She selected Ube

smiling in a photo from their last vacation, filled the screen. She

nd, with a few swift ta

a man in a crisp suit, got out to open the door for

asked, his voice prof

is was the pivot. The m

," she said, her voic

f a second. A flicker of surprise. The Middleton Estate was practi

cour

s of neon and gold, Elena closed her eyes, forcing her mind to work. She sif

t had to b

s, in reality, a carefully orchestrated matchmaking event

r destiny was being decided miles away. She wouldn't make that mistake again. Jayce was her only viable path. He was

h him. Before i

n. A different number

holding the ph

's voice was a ragged snarl, stripped of its

as a small, ugly sound. "Jory, I beli

forgotten that your mother's company is hanging by a thread? Blackwood's investment is the o

fectly last time, keeping her chained to him l

eded her mother's distribution network far

w with her fingernail, an old habit from when s

concern. I'll take care of them mysel

hen powered the phone off completely.

was pale, her green eyes huge and shadowed. But there was a hardness in her jaw, a resolve in the s

ded shores of Long Island. The architecture began to change, the skyscrape

road. At the end of it, a magnificent estate blazed

security gate. A guard in a sharp u

d no invitation.

dress whispering around her ankle

nd authoritative. "I'm Elena Craig. I beli

n was known for casting a wide net for her grandson, inviting eve

's heart pounded against her ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. T

o an eternity, the guard's expres

Mrs. Middleton did indeed leave instructions that any me

er, cool and sweet. The

y, the sounds of a string quartet and muted laughter growing louder. She s

oak doors of the main h

power. Chandeliers dripped crystals from the ceiling, champagne flo

a. Heads turned. Eyes widened. They recognized her. Jory

e swept across the crowded ballroom

n she s

iskey untouched in his hand. His dark hair was impeccably styled, his custom-tailored suit fitting his broad s

Middle

ss the crowded room. For a heartbeat, the world fell away. There was only