igns bled into shimmering halos on the wet windows, a blur of col

eting hers in the rearview mirror. He was looking at the

w, her mind a complete blan

ome, flooded her. A year ago, she had married Julian Carlisle right there. It wasn't a w

nality of a task being completed. When the clerk had asked if he would take Stella as his wif

ng behind him-his grandfather, Theodore Carlisle

lings. That he just needed time. A lie she had so carefully constructed. Now, sh

fog. The week before the wedding. She'd overheard Julia

acheco girl?" Tyler had asked. "I tho

like ice. "That subject is close

e he was protecting her

overheard phone call-the pieces didn't just click, they slammed into place. They for

ed her. It wa

othing but a perform

tonight. It had been the

ave to drop you at the next block," the driver

s eyes vanished. the rain had wa

irm, a tone even she didn't recognize. "Ta

e, the penthouse apartment she

to cry. She was going back to get her

or the change. Stepping out of the cab, she didn't bother with an umbrella, letting the

stuck out like a sore thumb. Soaking wet and shivering, s

n't go to t

om the depths of her soaked purse, she retrieved a second phone-a

und a number, and dia

nswered on the second ring. "Stella?

ess sheet of rain beating aga

ly calm. "I need you. Get the p