soft ping. Adelle sprinted out, cl

popped the cap off and tipped two white pill

his tense shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you," he mur

gainst the concrete pillar, trembling like a leaf, her face completely dr

ons. "Essie looks like she's about to pass out. To

ou're right. I need to get you home to rest

lled smoothly into the underground ga

s grip bruisingly tight under the guise of helping her-and p

ut, instantly cutting off

al and merged into the glittering, c

f the plush leather seat. She wrapped her arms around

e man named Gus Petrenko glanced a

he one dispatched in the dead of night, cou

essional, but his voice carried a chilling, detached tone. "Mr. Cortez ordered me to

er head snapped up, her eyes wide

k, offering no sympathy. "The boss expects absolute compliance,

p across Essie's face. Her cheeks

e are not in that kind of relationship,"

misunderstanding. He just called the c

ounded almost like a scoff. "My job is to drive, miss. What

ssie's defenses. She felt completely exposed, stripped

ply to stare out the tinted window. The city l

for the low hum of the heater

f Queens, Essie suddenly lunged forward and slamm

," she demanded. They were still th

street. "It's freezing out there, miss. An

e yelled, her hand already

he heavy SUV lurched

ew herself out into the biting, fr

wn and practically ran down the poorly lit sidewalk, terrified that Ch