art studio and locked hers

ankly at the rejected proposal

ng words from the eleva

, transforming into a hot, driving

ase studies, analyzing their financial structures. She began r

d into ea

nas. Outside the window, the glittering Manhattan

her fourth cup o

the back of her neck and finally typed

o close her eyes for five minutes, the studio

her body heavy

e front door and

wearing casual clothes, his jaw clench

dma Augusta is having heart palpitations. She demand

ta was sick made A

grabbed her coat and purse, an

the back seat of

uxury car was so thick and he

nd Expressway, Arden leaned her head

stomach. The acid from the coffee was

er purse to fi

d against a smooth

to her hands last night when she was packing, loudly annou

ut. She held it out toward Fe

the bag, his brow furrow

ce was completely flat, devoid of any anger,

face darken

ng profile. A sudden, violent sur

show some sign that she cared. Her total apathy ma

the bag fr

pen, pulling out a dark sil

tie deep into the dark compartment, crushing the delicate fabric under his heavy fist. He slammed the li

d, her eyes wide. "Isn't th

o her, his eyes b

heap tricks to tes

Do you think if you push me toward Brooklyn, I'll s

gic of his accusation ac

m in her stomach. A wave of cold s

er stomach, curling into a tight ball on the leather

iced her sud

in and the sweat on her brow. A flash o

ly, reaching to touch her for

w his ha

ed her head back, pressing herself fla

d, her voice weak but lac

hand froze

efore slowly pulling his hand back,

e that lasted until the massive iron gate