finally moved to the heavy oak-paneled study to discuss t

distraction to esca

eft hand pressing hard into her stomach. A layer of cold sweat coat

the massive oak doors of the s

ed against the wall

of pure, terrifying fury. The air around him seemed to d

nd him, a nervous, placating

about this," Hudson pleaded, reach

y shoved Hudso

es you can do whatever the hell you want," Emery s

let out a soft, trembling gasp, pressing a hand

heavily on his cane. He slammed the

our brother's engagement negotiati

look back. His jaw was locked tight as he bypassed his fami

e hallway corner, Francesca w

ddenly eclipsed by a massive,

ssing the legal binding of the woman he loved to another man, had finally broken his iron control

t out a dry,

d he would speak up for her over a glass o

out the front. She did

walked toward the side ex

snow of the season was just beginning to fall, th

ight in her thin evening gown, the snow instantly melting ag

s and ordered a premium private car servi

eavy glass doors of the laboratory. She swiped her keyc

he data servers and the harsh, clinical glo

s, her lungs expanded ful

e high heels, her bare feet pressing a

the monitor. She pulled up the quantum mechani

nner office sudde

, stepped out holding a steaming paper cu

e-the expensive, soaked evening gown, the bare feet,

sized, worn flannel shirt and draped it over Francesca's freez

nto her stiff joints. Francesca closed h

her. He pointed a pen at the c

ely ignoring the high-society drama she was clearly fleeing f

e looked at the dancing numbe

ark ignited in the d

e bitter coffee, her

, her voice steadier than it had been in ye