in a heap on the floor. The metal was cold against her burning skin. She pr

g halos. Her heart was racing so fast it felt like it was vibra

he wasn't in the lobby. The floor was covered in thick, patterned carpet. The ha

etched out before her, long and intimidating. She had to find help. She

he wall, using it to support her weight. She stumbled down t

d with brass numbers. She tried the handle of on

ling her under, making her limbs heavy and her thoughts muddy. She was goi

rom the others. It was larger, more imposing. A presidential suite. Anne

le turned. The door sw

ged against the doorjamb, preventing it from closing completely. Annemari

he marble floor of the entryway. The cold stone was a blessing against her flus

massive windows. She could see the skyline of Manhattan, a glittering tapestry

e could manage was a weak cough. She needed water. She saw a bottle on a glass table

with trembling fingers and poured the water directly into her mouth, spilling half of it down he

spent. She was trapped in a cage of her own making. S

e heard

ng. Footstep

toward the source of the noise. A door at the far end of the suite had opened.

ath towel slung low on his hips. Water droplets clung to his chest, catching the light fr

toward the entryway. His eyes adjusted to the dar

you?" a low, dange

drug, she recognized that voice. She recognized that

ll. She had walked stra

reathed, her voic

the plush rug. He stopped a few feet away from he

at her, taking in the wet dress, the wild eyes, and the angry r

that moment to drag her under completely. Her eyes rolled