ering through a gap in the blinds. Down at the curb, Hayward's driver was leaning against

r light duffel bag over her shoulder, and walked to the front door. Once she stepped into

knob. Before she could turn it, the sharp click of

second later, the doorbell rang-a long, mocking

orward, she looked thro

one call the moment the town car pulled away. Looking straight at the peephole as if she could see right through th

called out in a sickeningly swee

nd into the side pocket of her duffel bag, her fingers close

the hallway offered no other way out, Elissa slid the knife

shoulder and walked right into the cramped living room, pinchin

thole like this for eight years," Alysia said, turnin

e with her arms crossed. "If you're don

you really think using some cheap trick to trigger the trust will make Kurt look at you?" She raised a manicured finger

Elissa's left hand shot out, clamped around A

ng to her knees as her joints popped.

ours, Ezra Blackburn, set eight years ago was flawless?" Elissa whis

er arm back, rubbing her red wrist with a vicious sneer. "G

ollowed by the heavy thud of boots hitting the pavement in un

id. Walking toward the door, she deliberately slammed her shoulder into Elis

s had boxed in the entire block. Stepping out of the center Maybach, Kurt Stew

e door into the back stairwell. Halfway down the first flight, she skidded to a halt. Three massive bodyguards in b

of, hoping to jump across to the adjoining brownstone. She threw her weig

ice elevator stood blocking the neighboring ledge. Behind them, th

undone. Right above his collarbone, a cursive black tattoo of the letter "A" peeked out from beneath the fabric.

, measured steps toward her. "But I think a Long Island

il his chest nearly brushed hers, the heavy scent of cedarwood drowning out the city air. He tilted hi

tremor in her voice. "That trust cl

eyes. "Void it? Why would I do that, after all the dirty tricks you pulled?" His fingers slid down and clamped ha

skin, Elissa felt a wave of bitt

out between her teeth, "you

handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his fingers clean. Turning

Take her straight

titative economics textbooks across the dirty gravel. Kurt paused at the door, glanced back at the books with a look of pure mockery, and walked down the steps. Five minut