neon greens and heavy wools in the Phoenix folder were a nightmare, but she was bre

to ache. She

ack of her neck, and walke

toward the communal pantry. As s

ve, too

voice. Oily and

ped closer to the open d

t the refrigerator. A middle-aged man in a tight grey suit had

. The deputy head o

ding one of Al

ing his face closer to hers. "But you lack e

she clutched her empty coffee mug. She tried to slide

In this industry, who you know is more important than what you k

's throat. Her bloo

her phone, opened the voice memo app, and

y. "A private dinner. Just you and

op the recording. She slipped

vious smile on her face a

Helena s

dropped his arm from th

traight toward them. She ignored Warren completely. "Dad j

zed Helena. He knew she was the C

ed their elbows tightly. She could fe

r voice light and cheerful.

ut of the pantry wi

coffee machine, his face t

e stairwell and let the heav

na broke down. She covered her

he rubbed Alaina's back, feeling the

orning," Alaina cried into Helena's

fingers dug into the fabr

out of here," H

he street to a quiet cafe. She ordered two massive slices of

d back into the lobby of

Alaina freez

ross the marble floor, heading straight towar

he let go of Alaina's arm