me to leave the recovery wing of

ut to help me

shoulder aching, b

ho stood a few feet away, her

n you give

cker of something – surprise?

ed past her, towards

me back to t

han?" she asked,

said, the irony

lking about a new restaurant

ling. "You look like you

smile. "Thanks, C

r easy companion

welcome

The pinnacle of New Y

bid on a centerpiece historical artifact – a dia

k in the family, a show

ill in a sling, but de

I saw

lle a

a silver gown that shi

tly tailored tuxedo, his cha

rehension, cold and unwe

for the ne

opening bid

ly, Leo Hayes ra

nt throug

ng against

apologetic shrug. "Just a little arti

the price. To make me, and

, to emb

ed, her expres

escalated. M

oying himself, pla

what I thought would be the winnin

beyond what Leo could afford. Far be

oneer's g

Miss Isabe

nce, then a bu

d, a cool, tri

rned t

dear brother," she said, her voice

m the Vanderbilt h

ot and fierce,

n Vanderbilt, outbid and outmane

was a low, bu

u see h

ed him be

o her brother! S

My pride, already

e defeated.

there was a call for

eassert Vanderbilt

e total sum raised tonight," I announced

ause. It was a ma

on the pledge, to transfer the fund

curity alert from my

and sharp, p

by and managing a Foundation

thrusting a platinum car

s also decl

arted again, lo

lt couldn't co

e Hayes step

Comp

said, her voic

uced her

on went throu

pledge. With her own, sur

on was comple

ng so, she had utterly destr