the scratched coffee table. The thick pap

oorboards, breathing shallow and fast, muttering

h hot cocoa. She placed a gentle hand on Kev

eramic. The heat seeped into her skin. It had bee

only wants a blood connection to the Lott family.

pacing, his

the only true heir. I have the leverage." She set the mug down. "As long as I am the one who

lt them by breaking the contract, they

om seemed to chill. "If the Yates family t

was just acting tough. "Whatever ha

a sat alone by the drafty window. The cold wind bit at her cheeks.

black smartphone. The screen glowed with an eerie blue light. Her thumbs flew across it, punc

ct name was "K. Stone." An encr

o-earpiece into her e

oice came through, c

a whispered int

n is collapsing. They desperately need the Yates fam

That explained why Eleanor was

the return channels for their three off

eyboard through the earpiece. Ten seconds late

I need Damian Yates's

"The Yates family's firewalls are military-grad

. She needed to strike before E

iding place. She looked at the mansion again, her eye

e wearing a simple grey tracksuit. The air was crisp.

e center of the stone path. Stella was wearing a silk robe, holding a cu

nearby gardeners to hear. "Still have the energy to run? You should be

didn't yell. She didn't look angry. She just looked at Stell

l space. She leaned down, her lips h

e a cold, lethal hiss. "I know Eleanor has been hiding something about your

leaving her looking like a corpse. The coffee cup in her hand shoo

th shut about me, or I'll make sure every secret your pre

ng Stella's hyperventilating form,