pattern of the cheap polyester sheets scratching against her skin. For a moment, disoriented by the morning l

d. The gala. The n

ering a frantic rhythm aga

ightstand. She dialed a number she had me

the other end was grog

ara said. He

ound, like someone sitting up quickl

she whispere

ht... never mind. Is the safe house ready? I m

ming,"

erling penthouse, Ethan woke up. He reached for

e hangover was a dull throb behind

personal ass

bothering with a greeting. "See where she stayed

away,

y, busy, indifferent. He felt a spike of irritation. She was making him late. She usu

ad to do

ice came back on t

otel is

, Mr. Sterling. The Black Card, the Gold Card, even t

mpossible. She can't boo

e's with

s. My friends' wives. And that cousin in Brooklyn, Harper, but she hasn't

im. Cash. She must have been squirr

the empty room. "

roze every card linked to her name.

last without access to

lyn apartment. Harper, her cousin and only real con

aves that Ethan loved to wrap around his fist, hung down to her

tchen scissors Harpe

hair near her face. Her

n

. The hair fell into the sink, a dar

stop. Snip.

place was a woman with a sharp, uneven bob that ba

face and put on a pair of thick-rimmed g

her duffel bag. She pulled out three heavy books. Advanced Computatio

s scratched coffee table.

ed laptop on the couch w

he didn't log into social media. She typed

umbia - Graduate

account. Her status still read: PhD

d a new e

ssor Alis

y regarding pot

end. He had called her the "brightest mind of her generation" right before she told him she was quittin

Ethan laughing with Serena. S

licke

meeting, his leg boun

solid," Carter was say

buzzed. A te

in your car last

, this would have flattered him. Now, i

ed bank account aga

from a rival family, leaned forward. His eyes, dark and perceptiv

Ethan snapped. "Just h

eard Elara left early l

n't feel

meralds on the bedside tabl

ze. "How

s for my mother." Sebastian leaned back, tapping his pen.

phone tightened unti

hattan. Rain lashed against the floor

ing room. On the center table, a vase of white lilies-

gins!" he

r appeared, lo

these flo

them herself, sir. Every mornin

alized, with a jolt, that he didn't eve

again. He opened the ban

he whispered. "S

floor with Harper, eating Pad

hewing thoughtfully.

Elara said, taking a bite. It w

he plan f

small USB drive. "I wasn't just planning p

es bugged o

high frequency. I just let the compound interest do the work. Ethan saw the server rental fees once, but I told

enough. Enough for rent. Enough

," Harper said,

a small, tentative th

e doorman over the intercom. "If she comes

Mr. St

rows of designer dresses, the shoes, the bags. Thou

d. He brought it to his nose, inhaling. It sm

he dress o

, pouring a glass of scotch. "She wants

the liquid burn

e'll come crawling back

lass walls of his fortress. His phone

r cal

d, and for the first time, the vastness o