ing, Eliana w

banquet, a collective gasp went through the crowd. His possessi

Melinda were utterly stunned. It

l of effort suppressing the scandal caused by Annabell's breakdow

ed control of the situation-until El

ed to use as a pawn would return in the most i

went pale with shock and fear. The small, vicious pleasure Eliana felt at seeing their express

ver. But Branson led her directly to his car

of a classic, old-

pectfully. The theater was empty, t

ng her but guiding her, steering her, as h

e. It showed a deep, silent field of sta

ating romance. But this romance felt like a b

, oversized seats in

dim, celestial light. His gaze was intense, invasive, like a collector

ence. She opened her mou

d her, closing the space

oped her. His breath was a warm whisper against he

l. She tried to pull back, but her shoulders hit t

his voice a low, husky rumb

o meet his gaze. "Mr. Holloway, I don

, his fingers toying with a str

ng just an inch from hers. "Perhaps

rifying and, to her shame, electrifying. In that s

oment, a vibration came from the small pocket hi

ck, and pushed him away,

f distress. "I'm so sorry, Branson, I... my friend Amy,

reated as a last resort, an emergen

s before, turned to ice. He studied her, h

n her eyes, her voice trembled. "She's all alone

ate, pleading wea

t moment. Finally, he stood up, hi

ress in Brooklyn she h

of the anonymous apartment building, he watched her hurry

e Bentley's taillights vanished around the corner. She slid to the

ranson took o

sly quiet. "Find out everything there