y looked at her dress, at her borrowed faux-leather tote, at the Burberry coat that didn't quite

nthouse B. Eleva

tiply into infinity, each version smaller and more frightened than the last. The

sed the

ning, her hair arranged in a perfect chignon, her face painted with the kin

The smile didn't reach her eyes. "

ramed Central Park, the trees bare and black against the city lights. Alyssa

and. "I'm getting married. Next month. Small ceremony, but the reception will be sig

s voice sounded strange in

igible bachelor in New York. Old money. Real

lway. Measured. Confident. Each one s

something soft, almost girlish. She set down her glass a

sa t

fit him like armor. His gaze traveled past Henrietta, past the champagne

marble floor and shattered. Sparkling water spl

cross the room. His hand closed around her elbow, ste

ffee table. Pain flared in her injured joint, white-hot and agonizing. She shifted her weight t

natural stiffness of her posture. The shrewd, calculating instinct that made her a Wall Street apex predator flared to lif

ed. "I just-I wasn't expecting-I'm n

t. "Hardly. Just a man in love." He extended his hand. "Cornell Knight.

hand. She couldn't to

Don't be shy, Lyss.

me Cornell. Or better yet-" He paused, his eyes locked on Alyssa's face, watching for every micro-e

rce. Brother-in-law. This man. Th

ed. "Both of you. I'll o

nrietta curled against Cornell on the sofa, her hand possessive on his thigh. He li

Alyssa's ankle

racked against the table base.

u're pale.

s Henrietta wore like a new coat, at the future she'd clearly alread

ned her

e against the leather armrest

eld everything. The warning. The promise. The absolute certainty that he

losed. The truth

red. "Just tired. The

help you find something. Though of course, after the wedding, I

against Alyssa's ankle, then withdrew. "We'll have to