ed Maya out of

She shivered violently, her thin dress offer

She raised her free arm, wav

ease!" sh

ho was currently bent over, gagging dryly toward the g

cabs did the ex

t like she couldn't breathe. Hot te

d taxi screeched to a

into the backseat. She dove in

hurry," Clarissa ga

rward, merging int

her wrist. The second ha

ctly eleve

cold sweat broke out

topped dead. A sea of red taillights s

ss of the window. She watched the minutes tic

sed, the knot of terror in

taxi finally pulled up to

hauled Maya out of the car, dragged her into the dingy

She didn't even stop to take a

artment. She ran down the street until she flag

it didn't matter. Her heart was beating so fa

ab pulled up to the curb

ssive, ultra-luxury skyscrap

nd walked toward the heavy bra

ave a polite bow, but Clarissa saw the look in

d. Her throat fel

arble lobby. She reached the private e

ometric scanner. The scanner beeped

nd pressed the butto

e sudden loss of gravity made her stomach churn.

topped. The doors slowly opened

ent was pi

g windows, casting cold, silver shadows of t

th. She slipped her hi

her bare feet. She prayed to God

ilent steps into

ading lamp clicked on in t

g in a sharp breath. He

Giovanny sat in a custom

ng around his neck. The top three buttons of his crisp white shir

quid. The ice cubes clinked against the cryst

er. He just stared

hrough the sile

anny said. "You are seve

throat. She opened her mouth, desperately s

lowly lift

gaze was colder than the ice in his glass. He loo