n the SUV was

e a man possessed, weaving through the Hamptons traffic. In the backseat, he had already cu

taring at the blood

eeth clenched against the sting o

her a tablet

" she asked, h

forward, elbows on his knees, exposin

It was a dossier. Bank t

as three months ago. There were receipts from a pharmacy for a neuro

hat log between R

ing, Mom. I can

from her time interning in archives. We need to discredit her compl

row up. The tablet slipped from her

she whispered. "Fr

n said, his voice void of emot

burning through the shock. "And y

g. If I had intervened sooner, they would have just found

othing. My reputation is gone. My family wi

an said again. "

o you get out of this? You j

t fund has a clause. I can't access the principal until I marry

range sense of relief. She could understand busin

't know it was a lie then. "I get my money

he word ta

id. "Let's go

sts. Just Silas standing witness outside t

the rings, Elena realiz

ocket. He pulled out a si

our hand,"

He slid the ring onto her finger.

ietly. "It's the only thing in tha

. It felt like a shackle, b

u, Elena..." his vo

take you,

tamped the

he clerk droned, bor

r hand for a second longer than necessa

said. "We have