wind whipped acros

d the exit. The freezing New York air finally cleared the last lingering fog of her

he vinyl seats were cracked, the air inside

r business trip a day early. She wanted to surprise Gregory. Nine years together, and

y apartment building in Tribeca,

ine smile to the night security guard behind the marble desk. The lobby was empty, the a

pressed her thumb against the biometric sc

liar, comforting rhythm as

epped out, deliberately keeping her weight light on the thick

he lock. She turned it

The heavy door p

eding through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across

ized the loud, booming laugh of Landon Bancroft, a heavyset man with a perpetual sneer, mixed with Preston Ames's annoying drawl. They must have

ase by the door. She s

rtially open glass door leading to the terr

rough the gap

ore a cashmere sweater that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. He held a glass of Macallan whiskey. Three

cloud of cigar smoke. His pudg

ing. "When are you actually going to give

d metal frame of the door. She waited for the answer sh

augh. He swirled the amber liquid in

casual. "That kind of contract isn't

e, his thin face twisted with amusement. "Good call.

key. His face was completely b

st technical mind in the company. And she's conv

na like a physical

om her face. A loud ring

oice. "Are you still waiting for Angi

something raw and tender crossed his angular face. He didn'

ister. His untou

ianna's stomach. Bile ros

purely on instinct to get aw

the edge of the conso

p of it slid across the polished woo

the terrace st

dark living room. His brows pulled t

?" he called

her ribs. She dropped to her knees, scrambling behind the large sectional sofa,

k of Gregory setti

pushed it open and stepped into the living r

e sofa. Her palms were slick with cold sweat. She cou

p. He was right at

ne buzzed loudly o

ne!" Landon yel

, turned around, and walked back out to the f

turned, Arianna pushed

ghost, she bolted silently across the living ro

ront door open, and fled the penthouse. She threw he

address in Brooklyn. She needed to disappear int