small office, acting like a key unl

pale face and Frobisher's suspicious glare melted away. The harsh

rain filled C

into a memory. The memory

shb

assive walk-in clos

hat Carmen had stolen a vintage diamond bracelet that belonged to Evelin'

bout the truth. He only c

. His eyes were bloodshot, looki

pping closer. "Are you that desperate for my atten

et!" Carmen pleaded, backing up unt

f her silk evening gown. With one violent

away. Her manicured nails scratched hi

unforgivable challenge to his authority. He pinned her wrists against the wa

force intimacy on her, turning what should have

stabbing cramp ripped thro

as much as his grip allowed

adjusting his belt. He looked down at her

ce, Carmen," he spa

aster bathroom, turning on the

er stomach wasn't fading. It was growing sharper, tw

ething was t

rn dress, and called the family's private driver. She

eets, blurring the neon lights of Manhattan. She clutched her stomach, pulling

phone rang through the

the drive

s cold, urgent, and completely devoid

asy in Soho. Evelin is there. She's crying because of the

o was pale and gasping for breath. "Sir, I have Ms. Ca

seat. "Forrest," she begged into the microphone. "Please.

sigh on the othe

your games. Evelin is actually in distress. She is a hu

est like a sledgehammer.

ick her out. Let her call a cab. If you don't

job. He pulled the heavy car over to t

The freezing rain blew in. They grabbed Carmen by the arms and dragge

s Royce sped away, its red taill

physical pain in her stomach was agonizing, but the pain in her heart was fatal.

f Fla

ack to the present, ins

sher. His face was chalk-white. He wa

sher's eyes. "She... she said her stomac

fiancée out of a car in a rainstorm while

d. "I had a very urgent busine