arbone, and a collection of deep bruises. But I was

nd invisible in the vast penthouse, counting the

for a new passport and immigration to a country far, far away was being processed

clamped over my mouth from behind. A black town car screeched to a halt besi

the seat with a sickening thud. They pulled me out in a deser

efore me, a triumphant, cruel smile on her fa

dresses. She was in black, tight-fitting clothes,

h malice. She idly fiddled with a bracelet on her

. "Dallas had it custom-made for me. From your son's bones. They make

the bracelet, at the small, mil

rgery," she continued, enjoying the look of

the. The man who pretended to pray for our child's soul had taken h

k pleasure. "Did you ever wonder what he was really praying for? He wasn't blessing your child,

ding stories to my bump, his voice a low, soothing murmur. It was all an act. A twisted, sadistic performance. He neve

blind fury propelling me forward. One of her goons kicked me

object hitting the back of my head. The worl

s being loaded into an ambulance. Dallas was there, his face a mask of concern.

where!" Alanna sobbed into his

ing head. He frowned. "Alanna, let

ing to him. "Take me to the hospita

p into his arms. "Don't worry, baby, I've got

handle. I was an inconvenience, a problem to be dealt with by othe

na eventually showed up, playing their parts to perfection

for you myself, Autumn," she said, her eyes shi

mmanded, his voice

f ginger. Thick, pungent slices of it. She

d up, walked to the trash can, and dump

Dallas fished a piece of

his for you," he said, his voice dangerous

y voice flat and dead. "And I don't like things tha

igning a headache. "Dallas, I'

s eyes. But as always, he chose her. He put his arm around h