rd had died. She dropped her backpack onto

s caught the afternoon sun, throwing sharp rainbows across the dirt. She let the

ation hummed through

, a massive vehicle approached. It didn't bounce o

was a flawless obsidian black. The chrome grill gleamed aggressively. The sheer siz

de door opened.

ill coated his forehead. But he held a heavy, silve

of pristine white cotton gloves from his pocket and slipped them

deeply fro

Dakota," he said. His v

ge of the leather seat. She finally understood what Gus meant when he

ond necklace back into her pocket, grabbed he

ed instantly. The cabin was dead silent, smelling

the gear. The Cullinan surged forward smoothl

hed the scenery change outside the tinted windows

e skyline of Manhattan rose in the dist

approach. Her heart beat

-mouthed wonder at the luxury around her. Instead, Dakota looked completely

of Midtown faded as they entered the Upper East Side. Mod

roperty surrounded by a ten-foot-tall wrought

e of the gate. A solid brass plaque was bolted to the iron b

n gates slid

ring stone fountain. Beyond the water, a mansion that looked like a European p

erfectly symmetrical windows. A tiny flicker of surprise tou

de marble steps leading to the front doors. A

car. He opened Dakota's

marble driveway. She gripped her cheap canvas bag