success. Lines stretched around the

nds shaking. Tonight wasn't about cookies or baking. Tonig

car. Deep red silk that shimmered like fire, with

is," she whisp

. Food magazines called Elena "The Cookie Queen." Her

same charity gala where New York's ri

from Lucien: "Car outside

distance since then, letting her run the business her way, only showing up for the occasional meeti

a stood there, already dre

en she saw Elena. "You lo

," Elena joked, twirlin

u know Nathan will be there tonight,

"Good. I want him to see

d once baked cookies in the kitchen just to survive. Now she stepped

feel to be New York's fas

it true Golden Crumb i

er arm. "Breathe. Y

le draped in jewels. Elena accepted a champagne glass from a waiter-t

d in his eyes. "We

you sneaked from the kitche

hed. "The best

late her. Important people who once wouldn't have glanced he

d parted, and

olding a martini. His mother Margaret hovered nearby, her face

their kitchen, wearing an old apron, tears stream

his hand suddenly warm on the small of her back. "Don

He looked stunning in a black tuxedo, his

red of him,"

toward the center of the room. "You've accomplished more

straightened her spine and lifted her

said, extending his hand

her close. His cologne smelled e

ing me?" Elena asked as

d. "Maybe I enjoy wat

ntrolling people's liv

"Smart girl. But you're not

stopped halfway to his mouth, eyes widening in shock.

d. "And he's coming over. Rememb

h him. His mother trailed behind, pearl

warmth. "What a surprise. I didn't realize ba

ends to include people who can actuall

"How... nice. Still pla

'cookie playing' just secured a deal with Har

adn't even known about the Lond

dress with a sneer. "Isn't that gown a bit much

" Nathan

is dress cost more than your son's Porsche. The one he c

h fell open.

w firm lost three major clients last quarter. Or how Celes

asped. "Y

n interrupted. "

. "Ms. Carter, could we g

remember the Times, right? They used to call yo

lena's triumph, Nathan leaned clo

fancy investor friend is helping you? Ask him about To

pounded. "Goodbye, Nathan. Give my regards

ff, Celeste in tow,

dear," the older woman said q

in Margaret's eyes-something

rself on the hotel's rooftop terrace, catchin

Lucien said, appearing beside

one. "What'

remained neutr

kyo. He said I shoul

eyes. Then he smiled. "Tokyo is where I'm opening yo

Nathan know

ien moved closer. "Elena, there are things I haven't

ickled with une

ey're dangerous. Margaret Carter

st open. Victoria ru

rooklyn store

ashed to the flo

e in and set it ablaze. All the rec

is face grim. "Just like I

iling, knuckles white. "Nath

ice strange. "Or maybe someo

him. "What's that

t means someone declared war to

low, a text message appeared

very empire crumbles. Even yours. Next tim

king calls, taking charge. His face l

t if Lucien wasn't her savior

ts was he hidi