da of her Napa estate, the late

like a new peak, a chance to pour her s

f Vanguard Solutions

, Evie. Top-tier security, as you re

as smooth,

cus Thorne as your per

us, a legend in Vanguard, she could focus o

ement, a step into a different kind of future,

es, carrying the scent of ripening g

e next morning. No subject lin

ar. His arm was around a woman, Cassandra

. Below the photo, a single l

ammered against her ribs. Shock,

randon loved her. Cassie

coil in her stomach. She stared at the

ptop. Brandon. The man she'd loved, suppo

on their Pacific Heights condo, the one wi

res," always "on the cusp" of success but n

o attentive, especially

hushed phone calls he'd dism

wisted. How much had she overlooked

rself on now felt like a wea

, a mix of heartbreak and a grow

hful presence a new constant, felt suddenly less about th

a chic Yountville hotel. Evie e

heard Brandon's voice, low and cons

ie's clueless. Totally wrap

hen his sm

told you pushing Evie to hire Vortex Media

She leaned against the cool wall, the plush

. The pieces slammed toget

ry ambition – it was all there, la

se, thick