uxurious hallway. Eliana's heart pounded

r gamble had failed, the lock finally

ey assumed this was Julian Holloway's room, so they q

from the panoramic city skyline glittering thro

ith the sharp sting of whiskey, hit her l

was certain; the danger ahead was unknown. She slipped

of a man's voice. A tall, broad-shouldered silhouette stood wi

The man from

y winter night, swept t

man, his voice sharp as broken glass. "...Get rid

light, his icy blue eyes locked onto her, filled

his voice, only a cold, weary certainty. "Is th

ng it difficult to breathe. She opened her mouth, wanting to expl

. One arm clamped around her neck, cutting off her air

kn

, screamed, his voice twisted by fe

e against her skin was the only thing t

y sharp. He looked at Eliana in Vic's gr

ow the price

need a hostage!" Vic shrieke

he fresh, sharp scent of cedar clinging to his suit, mixe

e pressed harder against her skin.

ver-his lighter-flew from his hand, stri

floor. Before he could react, Branson was already on h

to the floor,

way. She fell backward, expecting to hit the floor, but in

n caug

falling to her exposed left wr

r pale skin, was

d his eyes. He reached out, his fingers tracing the s

reality. She shoved him away and stumbled backward until he

e knife had grazed her. Against the vivid red of her dress, i

For one fleeting moment, the image of the stubborn girl from the

d up the intercom phone, his voice retur

up and take

he trembling g

able. His eyes dropped to her wrist again-then fl