enport driver assigned to her and met Josie a

you're thinner," she said, pulling back to look at her. "

for an hour, catching up, though Adria was vague about

d most exclusive lounge, a playground for the city's

quaint herself with this city an

k wood, and ambient lighting. The air was thick with exp

But most of the disdainful glances were directed at Adria, whose

neer swaggered over to their table. His name was Zan

over Adria with contempt. "Is this the littl

ria's defense. "Watch your mou

art doing charity work, Josie? Does he

ghter spread through

wirling the amber liquid in her g

y glass, Hudson Davenport was in a meeting.

his line of sight. "Isn't that Zane Kn

eyes grew colder. The hand ho

ring from his pocket and dangled it in front of her. "Ever seen one of these, hick? It's the 'Morning St

a bored look. "Oh. Cubic zirconia. It's a goo

, angry red. "You're lying

From a simple canvas tote bag at her f

cascade of tiny, sparkling pink granules tumbled out, glitteri

g in to get a better look.

ared, c

icro-diamonds," she said to Zane, her voice flat. "Natural. Each one perfectly cut. Your

ion sink in. "By the way, this b

t silent. Even the non-experts in the room

mouth h

"She's bluffing! Who carries millions

st glass!" Zane chimed in,

taring, dumbfounded. "Davenport.

s woman... how many more secrets did she have? For the f

s. She turned to the bartender. "You must

ndon Kane, a regular at the lounge and one of New York's most respected gemologists. He stared