gh heel catching the edge of a

ist. He wore a crisp white collared shirt beneath his tailored Engli

is heel caught the base of the pillar, and his fragile frame til

precision and maternal instinct moved her bo

nd and lunged forward a

inches before impact. She pulled his lightweight body flush again

rm milk hit her senses. Claire's fingers began

Long, dark eyelashes fluttered o

im, the blood in her ve

n Claire's clinical mind faltered. Only the tiny mole beneath his left nostril distinguished him from the son s

spoiled entitlement in his gaze, only

Leo whispered, his v

nt instrument. Words tumbled past her lips before she could stop

ding Claire's intense, searching gaze. "I'm

his eye level. Her thumb moved involuntarily, gently wip

storm-lashed night tore through her again-the blood, the sterile lights, and the doctor telling her that

g her head as her large, r

ointing a small finger. "Is To

glancing at the girl who

os echoed down the hallway, followed

ou think you're

tly. He pulled away from Claire's arms like a startled fawn,

ckering across the child's eyes.

rner in four-inch Christian Louboutin pumps and an oversized Chanel tweed suit. Her heavy designer bag swu

contorted in rage. She lunged forward, her manicured nails digging ha

d on his lower lip, but he

" Charlie snapped, looking Claire u

er, five-foot-eight frame radiated an oppressive, razor-shar

frigid, mocking smile. Inside her coat pocket,

l bin, ma'am," Claire said, her tone cool and measu

Save your fake concern. Half the social climbers in Manhattan try to

's arm with unnecessary force, dragging the stu

he corner, he glanced over his shoulder. His wide, da

r. Her gaze burned into the empty turn where the boy had d

lance was not proof, and Claire would not al

her phone and c

tley family," Claire said the moment the call connected. "Birth certificates, hospital f

Leo was the child stolen from her, Claire would