ll sounds against the stone. She didn't rush. She kept her chin

ide of the heavy carved doors. As Dakota pass

ked at the cheap canvas bag slung over her shoulder. Several of them exchanged quick, sideways gla

double doors

ilored black tailcoat. His silver hair was slicked back. Ingr

s spine was exact, but his ey

d. His voice was smooth, profession

orners of his eyes. She didn't react. She gave

chandelier hung from the ceiling, throwing

room, frantic footsteps echoed f

d the wooden banister tightly. Her eyes were red and swollen. Tears stre

u radiated the terrifying aura of a corporate titan, but righ

and stopped. She gasped for air, her h

ed. The sound tore from

lling her into a crushing embrace. She buried her face in Da

tinct screamed at her to pull away. But the woman's desperate, heartbroken sobs bypassed her defens

t with a massive, shaking hand and placed h

His deep voice cracked

throat ached. Slowly, hesitantly, she raised h

Dakota w

queezed Dakota tighter, her fingers digging int

throat. The sound was sh

rhaps we should move to the sitting

t face. She grabbed Dakota's hand a

for the canvas strap. Her nose wrinkled slightly. She pinc

on. She twisted her shoulder,

it," she s

. A terrifying darkness washed over his face. He glared at

onto a plush velvet sofa.

silver trays loaded with steaming b

er hand jerked. A single drop of hot tea splashed onto

xpensive rug. She didn't say a word. She knew exact