ather of the Maybach, his eyes closed. The tight

is grandmother, Eleanor Sinclai

h a preliminary understanding with the Price girl

ze as cold as a winter frost. He typed

it came to his life. His marriage. All he w

th him, a frightened deer with fire in her eyes. That combinati

r skin. He had never encountered it on anyone else. For a year, he had caught whiffs of it in crowded rooms

entation where the 2000 Massachusetts quarter used to sit. His mother had given it to him on his eighteenth birthday. "For luc

ished without a

assistant, Liam Reynolds, watched h

any Price's file. Ivy League graduate, impressive resume. Her s

's only reply. He had no intere

n the mirror and silently mouthed, "A hundred

eld up five finge

ent exchange but couldn'

nded coldly. He had no desire to be p

aurant's VIP access lane. Both he and Liam k

heck. "Sir, the reservation is for tabl

d face a mask of indifference. For him, this was j

New York City cab pulled up to

her eyes lifting to the

deep breath, and walked insid

enough to command attention yet modest enough to conceal the faint silver stretch marks that st

olished smile. "Good evening, ma

ce smooth and confident. "I'm

s eyes, but he maintained his professio

more than a few glances. Her posture, her grace, her qui

re Tiffany was supposed to be sitting. The empty chairs, the pristine silverware, the single rose in its crystal vase-all waiting for a princess who

burly man in a cheap t-shirt was boun

is table. "Mr. Tucker,

loe, his eyes went wide. His jaw drop

ugly spinster" Brenda had descri

undisguised hunger. "Brenda said you were-" He stopped himself, grinned, and le

peccable smile on her face. But he

er," she said. "

ame w