o the penthouse. It drove stra

The massive blades of a black helicopter were alre

ng?" she asked, h

orio replied coldly.

hand, his grip unyielding, and pulled her toward the chopper. He pract

er lifted of

e her severely nauseous. All the blood drained from her f

k. He reached into a compartment, pulled out a thermos,

ad away, fixing her eyes on the distant coas

uched down on the sprawling green lawn

orio took her arm again, marching her up

ntique sofa in the main parlor. A p

lating eyes swept over Annabel, di

l document from the table and t

stocratic. "The board is drafting the impeachment papers. If there

around is a barren waste of time. I won't have the Har

ghtened. "Watch y

Her lips curled into a thin, cruel smile. "At least th

ation burned the back of her throat.

mposing mahogany table. The sile

Raw oysters. Venison. Thick, rich broths.

er plate, her appet

grabbed his wine glass and drained it in one

a commanded from the head

inst the floor. He walked out without looking ba

f the second-floor hallway. As soon as they stepped

eadbolt sliding into plac

isted the brass handle. It wouldn't budge. S

ound and scan

The chaise lounges, the armchairs, the

f the room sat one m

t to the balcony doors, threw them open, and stepped out into the cold n

iddle of the room. She wrappe

curtains inward. The air in the

epped back inside, bringing the smell

standing there, s

ugh. "Relax. I have absolutel

ed out a folded silk nightgow

d make it quick. Don't give the old