ice alley. She tossed it into the massive industrial disposal bin,

emories, gone in

kyline glittered brightly behind the floor-to-cei

center of the sp

harp and clear as she held a glass of sparkling water. She was surr

olute textbook, Alex," Marcus, a veteran appellate partner, said with genu

of enforcing contractual boundaries," Ale

italists and private equity directors, his laughter loud and self-assured. N

me rib began to press against Alex's temples. The fa

on a passing waiter's tray and walked toward the quiet,

ded a minute

t, sickeningly familiar giggle drifted through t

mi-secluded

froze instantly on

s back here, they'll think I'm distracti

ed closer to the curtain, her ey

r, and it hit Alex like a

a low-cut crimson silk dress, her bare shoulde

a tenderness Alex had not seen in years, Basil scooped a small portion onto a p

ing Hollie swallow the mousse with a s

, running her manicured finger do

e used his thumb to wipe a tiny trace of

ly paralyzed behind

s. A suffocating, burning humi

ce poured her a glass of water when she worked until 3:00 AM on his corporate cont

ntic caretaker, hand-feeding dessert to a

ad completely dried up. In their place, a cold, prot

r phone, and tapped the voice recorder app. She he

rmurs and playful whispers registered ac

ncrypted file straight to her

kward, ready to leave th

heel clipped the edge of the carved

e, the giggling

harsh, commanding voice sna

d, but her mind re

sly onto the thick wool carpet. Holding her shoes in one hand, she walked as fast as a ghos

s near the bar, smoothed the fabric of her s

rm approached. "Alex? Are you

ht," Alex replied smoothly, forci

le doors of the private cor

the room. Hollie followed half a step behind him, clutching a leat

t across the crowd. They

e inches in front of Alex. He used his large frame to block her off from

il asked quietly, his tone lac

he crystal champagne flute between her f

er voice a perfect, cool breeze. "Why, Basil