was impeccable, his gray suit perfectly tailored. His gaze briefly swep

She opened the top drawer, pulled out a thick piece of stationery

ess. The nib scratched aggressively across the thick paper as she listed

the death knell for her social life. True, pure panic finally

y. Her voice went hoarse, completely l

her. "You can't do this. I need those bags! I still have the Met

d moved swiftly across the paper. Her voice w

rocery tote for all I car

e list. She capped the gold pen with a "click" and

nd hardware colors but even the specific carat weights were clearly written. He gained a trace of respect for Audrey's new

directly into

resolute and powerful. "Escort Ms. Parsons back to he

liberately added a cold warning, me

asmin's earlier lie, "you are to immediately contact the NYPD

nd she had to grab the edge of a chair to stand firm. She realized Au

y and tucked it into his breast pocket. His profession

hand, he gestured toward the grand doubl

with me." Arthur request

et. She looked at Audrey with a mix of venomous resentment an

y, stepping closer and lowering her voice so only Audrey could hear. "I'll make sure he

humorless sneer that cut right

ht glinting in her eyes. "Call him right

wait for Jasmin to move. He simply gave a microscopic, sharp n

d bulk cast long, highly oppressive shadows over Jasmin. They didn't s

y shattered. She was terrified of these si

he practically scurried out the front doors like a rat, her head bowed, r

asn't led to the luxury sedan she usually rode in. Instead, she was unceremonious

losed with a dull thud. The SUV sped down the estate'

ing breath. A profound sense of satisfaction swept through her

carried a silver tray holding a crystal glass of sparkling water.

. "Thank you, Eleanor

eyes landed on a massive, gaudy neon-and-chrome sculpture by the stairs-somethi

was cleaning house now, she decided the physical env

r. Her voice was aut

ather the staff."

. What are

"Those neon sculptures, the zebra-print rugs, and those abstract paintings. Move them all to the baseme

glimmer of relief shining in her eyes. She hurried off to execute the

ily against the cold marble of the staircase, her legs trembling slightly b