ale morning light filtered through

clear and focused. The terror of the previous night

ige trousers and a soft cashmere sweater. She ope

ache. She hadn't eaten a single b

cept kitchen. Several maids were already prepping breakfast. When they saw Gene walk

eanor for twenty years, stood behind the marble kitch

toward the gleaming espresso machine, reaching for th

arge frame to block Gene's access to the machin

ne dripping with condescension. "It is brewed specifically

eel sink. Sitting on the counter was a chipped mug fil

urs," Bridg

t, mocking smiles. They waited for Gene to

, terrifying calm washed over her. She slo

ached out, grabbed the glass handle of the Blue

ould react, Gene

eel trash can. The hot coffee hit the plastic liner with a loud

her eyes bulging

hrieked. "You stupid bitch, y

th of her heavy hands hard

ty pounds. Gene stumbled backward, her shoulder blades slamming ha

ge to retaliate, the swinging louvered door

walk

hest rising and falling slightly from a morning run. The moment he

aids stopped breathing. Bridget's face drained

pped right in front of Bridget. The sheer size of him, rad

ice was a terrifying, quiet whisper, "to

her. "Sir-Mr. Gallagher-she d

and was absolute. "I saw a pathetic em

turned his head slightly toward the door

perty in ten minutes. And make sure she is blacklisted in the in

pleading, invoking Eleanor's name. Donte didn't blink. The securit

en was de

ied staff. He walked over to Gene. His dark ey

machine. He grabbed a fresh bag of beans, ground them, an

round. He held out a small porcelai

e trash yourself," Donte murmu

st his warm knuckles. A jolt of electricity shot up her arm. She lo

echoed from

in absolute horror at the sight of the untouchable Don