wo of Judith's massive bodyguards stepped forward, gra

r shoulders, ignoring her wincing as t

t of a black Cadillac SUV. The

nt. Hebert sat in the passenger seat, staring

rds dragged her out. They marched her up the grand staircase and shov

d shut. The lock clic

the floor. Her body shook violently. The residual d

turned on the faucet. She splashed free

cheek was swollen and purple. And there, blooming across her co

o her knees in front of the toilet and dry-heav

. Her throat felt like sandpaper. The ex

doorframe was warped, and the latch had always been notoriously loose. She leaned her entire body weight against the solid wood, pressing her shou

into the dark hallway, her bare feet sinking in

But as she passed the landing, she noticed a sliver of yello

e. Low, eager, and

and crept closer. She held her breath, pres

the sound of ice clinking against

artner at the Wall Street inve

uite was to your liking?" Hebert

flew up to cover her mouth. Her nails dug

ce. "I put a double dose of Rohypnol in her champagne before the driver to

leaned heavily against the

ed, his tone shifting to pure greed. "I assume I

loud. "Excellent. A pleasure do

rd him sigh contentedly, followed by t

son. She had drained her own trust fund to save him from bankruptcy early

ing. Her heel clipped the edge of a heavy

craped agai

of ice stopped instantly. Heavy

the hall. She slipped into her bedroom and pulle

er lungs burned. She listened to Hebert's heavy footsteps pause ou

d something entirely new. A dark,

ed lawns of the estate. She wasn't going to just survi