wind whipped acros

her Rimowa suitcase toward the exit. The freezing New York

to the back of

r business trip a day early. She wanted to surprise Gregory. Nine years together, and

their luxury apartmen

case into the lobby, offering a tired but

pressed her thumb against the biometric sc

liar, comforting rhythm as

te foyer. She stepped out, deliberately keepi

he lock. She turned it

The heavy door p

e city skyline bleeding through the floor-to-ceiling

f expensive cigar

l. She recognized the loud, booming laugh of Landon Bancroft, mixed with Preston Ames's annoying drawl. They must have been having o

ase by the door. She s

rtially open glass door leading to the terr

rough the gap

of Macallan whiskey. Three of his wealthy, East Coast t

xhaled a thick cl

ng. "When are you actually going to give A

d metal frame of the door. She waited for the answer sh

missive laugh. He swirled th

casual. "That kind of contract isn't

de of the fire. "Good call. She's like

his whiskey. His fac

he best technical mind in the company. And she's c

na like a physical

om her face. A loud ring

oice. "Are you still waiting for Angi

look of raw, unfiltered tenderness crossed his face. He did

ister. His untou

s stomach. The bile rose in her

purely on instinct to get aw

ped the edge of t

p of it slid across the polished woo

the terrace st

oward the dark living room

?" he called

ntly against her ribs. She dropped to her knees, scrambling behind

k of Gregory setti

glass door. He pushed it open a

e sofa. Her palms were slick with cold sweat. She cou

p. He was right at

ne buzzed loudly o

ne!" Landon yel

nnoyed breath, turned around, an

turned, Arianna pushed

. Moving like a ghost, she bolted

ont door open, and fled the penthouse. She threw hers