heavy brass doors, the sound of the latch c

e he'd stood, her mind reeling-too fa

long her lungs burned, slumping forward and snatc

ely above a whisper, as

ore terrifying up close. Allison-are you sure? Marryin

ng water, her hand shaking so badly the

igid liquid burned down her throat, bar

of his searing grip from the airport yesterda

oving the memory aside-this

oice sharpening into a blade, free of the earlier tremor. "His quick yes? It p

aiting black Maybach, the door closing wi

sting his cuffs with a precision that was al

ulled away from the curb. "How's it feel, boss? Proposed to

rom his eye, not noticing the

ied mid-breath, a nervous swallow bobbing his Adam's apple-

ut his phone and dialed Prest

ordered the second Preston picked up. "F

nderstood, Mr. Kensington. Shall I use the st

ed, his tone dark and velvet-smooth, da

eyes-Adam was leaving his entire personal fortune vulnerable to Allison. For a man who

ay," Kip said cautiously, leaning

ine will be hers anyway," he said coldly, a flicker of obsession in his eye

ked on the next step of his plan

top open, fingers flying as she pulled up

we. "I'll never get over how you turn

Allison muttered, scanning the screen. "Ada

stant, Leo Sullivan-confirming their agreem

ed. Leo's reply was short. "All judic

ithered down her spine-something was off. It was as i

Holdings' legendary efficiency. But t

ked, yanking her back to reality.

ened, her stomach t

lance for months, every move monitored, leaving her zero

only undiscovered, completely private corner in the en

uptly these days, she'd run out of

rust fund documents that could sink Baker

d them first,

laptop shut. "One last time. I need to get my

e said, grabbing her purse. "

steady. "I have to do this alone. I ne

replaced by a woman ready for wa

ustling sidewalk, the afternoon sun casting harsh

whispering thanks, before hai

red out the window, muscles coiled

dam's "plan" had nothing to do

ficiency; they were proof he'd been tracking h