passed in something akin t

very respect, hiding every thread of anger behind scripted composure and bespoke suits. She had known sinc

th

he ultimat

riage to Adr

did not

o sought

-her dad, Adrian, society, the media-behaved in this manner toward h

for weeks with headlines spilling over regard

wedding was to top

tions had b

exclusive Paris design boutique with gems. Guests who featured Atlanta's most influential and weal

sked her wha

it didn'

pproached, she was only

ot descend

r bedroom in front of a floor-length mirror, standing be

isitely gorgeous lace-and-pearl design. A

was no

in cap

clasped firml

n't let t

coul

er heart, she scooped up the little du

ime to g

was schedu

grounds, stairwells, and hallways clogged by florists, hordes marched in by security office

was not to be

s, marking down where they patrolled, where her dad's men would

her onl

walked down hallways in subdued purpose, each pace cal

, gasping while she urged

was cold t

just a few

nd the steering wheel was her rescuer-one among only a select num

in close

istened to

mewhere,

d turned

, she

sely untied in an attitude that spoke to not being in the slightest surprised. Soft lighting in the drive was

waited

yet she tried to keep

himself off the car. "Th

r hands. "You c

ully, shaking his h

d firmly, tilting

ught you could

of anger pa

prudent. Planned ever

xplicably, h

motionless. "The wedding is

his presence oppressive. "

hands with his touch feathering down her wrist i

r arm free. "

rew. "You'l

ds where the standing car was. The driver

interrupted h

on

fr

mpletely slack. But in his utterance

ret not killing you w

charged be

hould

part where she was in touch with guy

er her chin before he looked down a

ted with anger a

ed to ye

as in a position to take another step forward,

Monroe'

loded in

lly, gasping short and despera

ure. "Now, now," he came forward in an exasper

tightened

bas

the car in attendance,

ess building as he used his hand to pus

" his voice w

was slammed sh

nted glass, sh

ory was

n the car, in short gas

the first ti

st her freedom. Sh