hit Harper like a physical blow, the dry, oven-lik

aiting by a dark, armored Maybach, res

, coiled tight since New York, finally collapsed against the leather.

oothly out of the

as Strip flashed by, a blur of drunk tourists stumbling

hollow ache in her ches

rivate road leading into Summerlin, a hyper-exclusi

ront of a sprawling

ch for the brass knocker, th

, the ice clinking softly against the crystal. Her eyes

o a tight embrace. She smelled of expensi

pale face. "Did Howard finally push you

odded, the rigid posture she mainta

her lips. Wrapping an arm around Harper's should

a generous splash of vodka into a gl

lcohol burning a path do

everything, explaining the brutal terms of the

dropped

er said, her voice trembling slightly. "If I find

glass ceasing its swirling. A flash of genu

r. "Are you insane?" Fiona snapped. "Digging up

bag, pulled out the grainy photograph, a

I have. He's a cleaner. H

udied the blurry image. She shook her head slow

digging into her palms. "I'm

erate, stubborn eyes, letting ou

a safe zone. But yo

hattering porcelain echo

ace twisting in irritation. "That's Chloe.

on. "Talk to her. Keep her from destroying my

tely. It was a cheap

d Harper's bags down the ha

lked to the corkboard above the desk, pulled out a silver pu

the jet was slowly burning away, replaced by a cold, sharp survival instinct. She was no longer just Howard Bright's pawn, shrinking away from his threats. If she wanted to survive, if she wan