began to paint the Manhatt

d and precise, the scent of cedar and Montecristo cigars still lingering o

throat, as if it were a barrier against the lingering warmth of the nigh

e, blocking the exit entirely. His dark silk robe hung open at the

out saying goodbye?" His voice was low, carrying the e

ige trench coat buttoned up to her throat. She tilted her

. Franco. Business deals

He leaned down, his fingers gripping her

g into the soft skin beneath her jaw. "Br

se remained steady. She rested her fingers over the back of

n boy, Uncle Demetrius. I

tick. He snatched her wrist, yanking h

hat tongue," he growled, his eyes black with

silk. "I want the Henson Group's East Side development contract si

er for three long seconds

o the carpeted hallway without looking back, a

the Plaza's revolving glass doors. She pulled her coat tighter around her frame

wn the street. A silver Aston Martin swerved hard, its tires shrieking

pristine, his gold Rolex flashing under the gray morning light. He hurri

ight? I called your phone twenty times.

kward, letting his hands grasp empty air. Her stomach rolled with disgus

I was working la

her wrinkled coat and pale face. A flicker of suspicion crossed h

project blueprints to me. Jaylynn's family has connections at the city

" Annabel said, her voice flat. "Nobody touches t

s voice dropping into that familiar patronizing t

. Tonight is the Metropolitan Arts Society private gala. Aunt Meredith from the Cortez fa

ing onto the worn fabric seat wit

be t

on the gas. The old engine sputtered to life with a coa

im kick the curb in frustration, pull

burner phone from her pocket and typed a single enc

the East Side CAD files. Flag a

us sat behind a ten-foot slab of polished obsidian, listen

n tapping once against Elton's sign

percent," Demetrius said, his voice

ile Demetrius's directives began to tighten the financial noose around the

orange and purple, Annabel prepared for the Metropolitan Arts Society