the massive stone fireplac

at the manicured gardens bathed in moonlight. The exhausti

mbia University," Caddie

ring. I walked away from Professor Sterling's lab fo

e Parrish family think they could break me. I want to compete

his hand. He watched her, his dark eyes tracking the defiant set of her shou

stopped just inches from her, so close she could feel the heat radiatin

e that vibrated through her. "No one in the Ken

er dark brown hair. He tucked it slowly behind her ear. His k

ep, predatory eyes. He was an older man, a man of

ace. She knew he was holding back, bound by the invisible walls of their complica

, stepping back just as the tension became unbear

omous orbital AI. Take it. Use it as your platform to bleed Levine Dyn

r fingers brushing hi

the word, but he only nodded. "G

addie barely left th

illiant, cutting-edge proposal on alternative energy propulsion for Profes

ack Bentley pulled up to the

she looked like a compl

els that clicked sharply against the pavement. Her dark hair cascaded ov

for the Aerospace En

d, obnoxious laugh cut thr

d, look w

e stone steps, surrounded by a group of

hing a massive diamond ring on her finger. When she saw Caddie, her

student nearby could hear. "The girl Julien threw out of his

d, their eyes filled

e broke, and now you are crawling back to beg Professor Sterling to take you in? News

ed from the ga

who dropped out

umped and now humiliat

ill as a frozen lake. She didn't look angry. She looked bored

rward, ignoring Ki

ped directly into her path. "Are you deaf?

ith her. "Excuse me. A good

ugly red. Nobody spoke to the Par

ing her weight into a vicious s

die was

y mark, Caddie's hand shot out. She clamped do

ied out, her eyes

d, twisting Kiersten's arm and violently shoving her backward. Kiersten's

sped in coll

ten's collarbone to keep her pinned. Her voice dropp

lliant research on orbital mechanics. Funny how much of it looks exac

olor drained from her face, leaving

e smiled, a chilling curve of her lips. "Enjoy wearing

gave out. The so-called heiress crumpled to the pavement,

e pathetic girl on the ground a second glance. She turned an

oors, a male voice rang o

ington! Stop