the world remained pitch-bla

ely arranged itself into a familiar mask of tender conce

. Instead, she leaned lightly into his touch, forcing a timid, weary s

atisfaction. "I'll make a lighter blend n

s faded down the hall, Hope's smile vanished. The grief

log, but found nothing. Caleb was meticulous. If she wanted answers, sh

opping by the penthouse to retrieve a fo

ning in the smart lock. Then, with a practiced slip of her wrist, she

AS

iping the puddle with a dry towel. His phone lay right where he alwa

d the spill toward his study. "Don't bother w

called back, her voice pitc

e swift, silent motion, she reached up, snatched his phone, and s

o his call logs an

m, Augustus, and one that made the b

it virtual burner number. Her mind became a camera, burning every single digit in

tion took less t

s files, kissed her ha

he marble floor, her palms slick with cold sweat. Her hands

he screen. Maya Reynolds-her closest college confidante,

grinned. "Finally have ti

knot in Hope's chest crack

What's wrong? You look like you've seen

oat and leaned close to the microphone,

oward the door. "Caleb makes me drink every night to keep me passe

in sheer shock. "W

em," Hope interrupted, pointing her camera at a piece of paper where she had frantically scribbled the digits. "I need you

d digits on the paper, the disbelief on her f

ross her keyboard in the background. "It won't be easy, and it definitely violates ever

Maya," Hop

ooked out at the glitte

ar had offic