walked with heavy, deliberate steps into the massive living

whiskey. The ice cubes clinked sharply against

any desk. He took out a thick checkbook em

me at the bottom of a blank check, the nib scratching loudly against the

. His voice left no room for argument. "You are

k. She knew she could write any number on that line, and she wou

ed down and picked up the check. Emmett watched

and ripped it straight down the middle.

ces into the metal tras

, her voice hard as stone. "I am not sel

didn't say goodbye to Eloise. She didn't look at Emmett.

turned bone white. His eyes burned with a furious, dark fire. Th

es went weak. She leaned her back against the cold metal wall of the el

he freezing winter air of Manhattan hit

d walked fast toward the subway. She had to rep

utside the Mount Sinai Medical Center. She smoot

lash of silver caught her eye. A stunning P

Row suit was leaning against the driver's side

itting his golden-brown hair. His side p

eet froze to the pavement. She stared a

ifted his head. His eyes we

ature smile-gentle, perfect, and capab

ried him through the busy crowd without

loneliness, exhaustion, and fighting her battles alon

opened his arms. His movements were incred

her. Gabriella closed her eyes. Her tense muscles finally rel

the top of her head. He let

girl," he whispere

UV. Emmett sat in the back seat. He stared through the heavily tinte

ing. The driver in the front seat was sweating

half. Tobacco spilled onto his expensive pants. He pulled out his phone, his voice cold and commanding as he spoke to the person on the other end. "The b

ed, his voice soundin

he curb like a ghost, disappeari

her heavy tote bag from her shoulder. He smiled and pointed toward