adiating from his large frame. The sheer size of his shoulders created a physica

k a reckless step forward, his hand reaching out to

xtended hand. The temperature

t Fabian froze. The younger man's hand hovered in mid-air, trembling slightly und

he turned to face the crowd of n

me is over," Antoinette announced, her voi

p rippled throug

plastered on a look of deep sorrow. "Everyone, please. She's not in

oug

performance. It wasn't loud, but

nated by her late father," Hiram

the sharp, unforgiving line of Hiram's jaw. "

her tear-stained face, lingering on the f

ed for three ag

single, cur

d. "You can't just take her! She's a minor! Her trust fund and

ned. Alex Porter, Hiram's security assistant, s

pulled a heavy, cream-colored card with stark, engraved

e Rasmussen estate," Alex said, his tone leaving zero room for argument. "A

card. The color drained from her face. Her m

tight his knuckles were white. He watched his caref

ck on the town and pulled open the h

black dress and climbed into the back

shut with a solid thud, instantly cutting off

nsive leather and a faint trace of cedarwood. It was so qui

nsole. He pulled out a crisp whi

abian. He didn't ask why sh

he tissue. As she pulled it from his grasp, her

icity shot up her arm

othly, pulling away from the cu

. In the side mirror, Fabian's distorted, furious face g

ails dug into her palms. She swore to herself, right t

e corner of his eye, he watched the stubborn set of the girl's