Ford had died. She dropped her canvas backpack o

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

ation hummed through

massive vehicle approached. It did not bounce or rattle. I

flawless obsidian black. The chrome grill gleamed aggressively in the light. The sheer

de door opened.

weat still coated his forehead. But he held a heavy, si

ristine white cotton gloves from his pocket and slipped them onto hi

deeply fro

Dakota," Gus said. His

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

mond necklace back into her pocket, grabbed h

vanished instantly. The cabin was dead silent, smelling

the gear. The Cullinan surged forward smoothl

hed the scenery outside the tinted windows change

line of Manhattan rose in the distance, a ja

approach. Her heart beat

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

Midtown faded as they entered the Upper East Side. The moder

ve property surrounded by a ten-foot-tall wrou

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

s slid open silentl

nd a towering stone fountain. Beyond the water, a mansion that looked like a Europ

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