sa

felt like hours, though the clock

la was no longer peace

ragged myself to my purse to find my phone. My f

e Susp

chest. I tried to u

nt De

. They had frozen everything. M

host in m

dial a local taxi company. I paid the driver with the diamond

days p

days o

otel on the outskirts of the

he that never let me forget the danger. I needed a doctor, but I couldn't

epaid burner phone I'd bought

d posted

the Maldives. Heali

ails on a beach while I

cation p

st from a

bout the Li

of Rissa's marriage

d the narrative into s

nd tried to pass off her illegitimate child as the he

. Making me the mistress. M

rang. It

alvo has called a shareholder meeting in three days. He plans

my voice raspy from

. If that sale goes through, the assets are go

to sto

s a hit out on you. Xander told the soldiers you

gnoring his warning. "I need to chec

head and went to a low-e

owded, smelling of stal

ut the TV in the corne

en. Wanted for Question

squinted, her eyes darting

voice shrill. "Ain't

om wen

ng up. "That's the bitch who

ve, heart hammeri

arm with surprising strength. "You think

said, panic ris

urner phone. I didn't know why. M

answ

ughed, the sound grating. "The

r on," I g

said. "But I'll p

amed. "They're g

and detached. "Is that her? Tell her to si

sa mocked. "Sign the assets over

shoved me hard. I stumbl

!" someo

chair. He raised it hi

a ball, protec

yes, waiting

h

eavy, meaty. Bu

ned m

r me, blocking out the

r with one arm. His suit jacket strained agains

ore the chair from the man's grip and tos

ir temperature seemed

ned to face

etal. His jaw was set in a line

ian

t me, huddled on

looked a

owl that vibrated in my chest. "Who

ached

nctively bracing

sion softening for a

hispered. "I

nto his arms as if

. He smelled like rain, aged scotch

whispered, my

cowering attackers, his

king," Killian said. "He