the estate were muffled, replaced by a high-pitched ringing in her ears. The

carrying a silver tray of fresh fruit. She glanced

to the floor, sending grapes and sliced melon skittering across the

Adriene's forehead and the massive pool of dark blood. Her hands shook viole

pped to her apron. "I'm calling

clamped down on Brenda's wr

t her gaze was sharp and unyielding. She slowly shook her head.

eding to death!

e commanded, leaving

led her to her feet. The world spun violently, and Adriene's stom

asochistic clarity had taken over her brain. She needed to see it. She n

ve of agony through her skull. Drops of her blood fell onto the plus

where Elaina was staying. The door was cracked open just an

gainst the cold wall. She held her br

ed in a thick cashmere blanket. She was whimpering softly, her low

soaked, clinging to his skin, but he didn't care. He was hold

nderness-was something Adriene had never see

Dallin," she cried. "I'm so scared she's going

is fingers with hers. He brought her knu

ow. "I am here. No one will ever touch you. If she ever t

if a giant, invisible hand had reached into her ribcage

e. "But I don't have a child. The board hates

d silent for five

that finally pushed Adriene

ily trust," Dallin said, his tone heavy with absolute f

tion your place, Elain

protecting her. He was going to use medical surrogacy or adoption to bypass h

f blood slid down her nose and landed on

t nothing but a dark, hollow amuseme

. She didn't scream. She simp

pain in her head, and walked away. Her steps were slow,

the cold water. She cupped the freezing water i

e woman who loved Dallin Morales was dead. The