study opened w

toned and his tie was loosened at the collar. He looked like a man who had spent the day moving m

o the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Central Park, turning his back

and clicked on the st

arkness. She stood there, dripping wet, hair plastered

s swept over her, taking in the water pooling around her feet, the

" he said. His voice was a low barito

and pulled a thick document from his briefcase. He tosse

venue. Full custody of... well, that point is moot now." He paused, adjusting his cufflink.

She stared at his throat, at the pul

asked. Her voice was

oscopic crease between

ng closer. "That the kidney she was waiting for was

pragmatic. "The doctors handled it. It was a necessary reallocation of resources. The Walto

ling stock. Like a subsidiary

t sat a small chocolate cake she had bought earlier that day from a

birthday," A

ickered, reflecting in her dark eyes. She lit th

nt to annoyed. "Sign the papers. Ilene's son is still in recovery. We

en

ast thread holding Ale

y crystal decanter of

ave time?" s

led the

ower of glass and alcohol. The amber liquid sp

nally cracking his composure

the heavy velvet curtains that framed the window-the curtains Darius had imp

the flame to

ht instantly. Fire raced u

esumably to get the fire extinguisher, but the fire alarm was

n the chair facing the burning window. She picked up a knife and cu

u," she sang softly.

ey wouldn't. The maintenance crew had bee

from the curtains to the rug, feeding on the spilled whiskey. The

his eyes watering. He saw her sittin

!" He wasn't concerned for her; he was terrified of the scandal. A fire in t

fear in his eyes. It was fear of the

ed into her sleeve earlier. With a swift, violent

welled up, bright red, dripping on

d. She looked him dead in the eye

er. Shards of glass rained down like diamonds. A be

thick now. He couldn't breathe. He looked at her one last time-a wo

wrapped her arms around the folder. She

the lies. She closed her eyes. She expected pain. But as the