e downloaded blueprints and zoning regulations, sketches littering the desk. The bruise on her cheekbone had dulle

. "Mother, is Dad really letting that adopted girl h

llion-dollar project to a girl whose only value is that we haven't thrown her out yet? He's buying time

lass vial. "High-concentration sleeping aid. Colorles

it up. "What

no inheritance, no prospects. Pierce Grant may not be a prince, but he's a Grant. That's more than a girl like

enjoy this. She hadn't enjoyed any of it. But Amie had left her no choice. The girl was about to destroy everything the family ha

lf another cup o

al problem on her screen, head throbbin

ass on the desk. "You've been at

to question the gestu

a flicker of something unre

ed to stand-her legs buckled. She collapsed onto the rug. The last thing s

ar king-sized bed. The air reeked of cigars and

room doo

e oil on water. "Little beauty. Your father gift-wrapped you for me." He untied his r

elivered her to a predator. The drug made it nearly impossible to move, but surviva

ake you comfortable.

the word out, slurred

endered, Pierce turn

d the lamp and swung w

back of his skull in a

riek-and collapsed, blood wel

led off the

at her limbs, the corridor stretching and til

t cutting across the carpet. She threw herself through

ve out agai

eather sofa. A single ember of a cig

hadow swallowed her

pair of eyes, deep and

... m

ything we