Chapter 1 1

The bass from the speakers vibrated through the soles of Aubree's heels. She turned away from the crowded patio, heading for the stone steps that led to the changing rooms. The wet marble beneath her shoes was slick. Her ankle wobbled. She caught her balance, her chest tight with the need to escape the noise.

Dayna stepped out from the blind spot behind a massive Roman column. She held a crystal champagne flute. She blocked the narrow path.

"Leaving so soon?" Dayna kept her voice low. The music drowned out her words to anyone else. "It must be exhausting, warming a bed for a man who only sees someone else when he looks at you."

Aubree's stomach dropped. The coldness spread from her chest to her fingertips. She clamped her jaw shut and stepped to the side, trying to walk around Dayna. She did not want to do this. Not tonight.

Dayna's hand shot out. Her fingers clamped around Aubree's wrist like a vice. Her manicured acrylic nails dug sharply into Aubree's skin.

Pain flared in Aubree's arm. Instinct took over. She yanked her arm back hard to break the grip. Her movement was wide and forceful.

Dayna's lips curved into a sharp, calculated smirk. She didn't resist the pull. Instead, she threw her own weight backward, riding the momentum of Aubree's yank.

A piercing scream ripped from Dayna's throat. Her body tipped over the edge of the deep end. She hit the water with a massive, violent splash.

The music seemed to stop. Heads snapped toward the pool. Guests rushed to the edge.

Eli pushed through the crowd. His broad shoulders shoved people aside. He stopped at the edge of the water. His eyes locked onto Dayna thrashing in the pool, and then snapped up to Aubree standing on the wet marble.

His eyes turned black. The muscle in his jaw ticked so hard it looked like the bone would snap. He didn't ask what happened. He didn't look at the red half-moon indentations on Aubree's wrist.

He lunged forward. He raised his arm and slammed his open palms into Aubree's shoulders.

The force lifted her off her feet. The air rushed out of her lungs. She tipped backward into the empty air.

The freezing water swallowed her whole. It rushed into her nose and mouth. She kicked her legs, but her body was too weak. The missing kidney on her left side made her core muscles spasm in the freezing temperature. She thrashed, her lungs burning for oxygen.

Through the distorted, bubbling water, she saw Eli dive in. He swam straight past her sinking body. He grabbed Dayna by the waist and pulled her toward the surface. He didn't even turn his head.

Aubree's vision darkened at the edges. The last shred of hope in her chest snapped like a dry twig.

Strong hands grabbed her under the armpits. A security guard hauled her up. She broke the surface, gasping violently.

She collapsed onto the rough concrete edge of the pool. She coughed up water, her throat burning with stomach acid. Her wet dress clung to her shivering skin.

Eli walked right past her. He carried Dayna in his arms. Dayna's eyes were closed, playing dead. Eli didn't look down.

The guests stared at Aubree. Their eyes were full of disgust. Aubree pressed her palms flat against the concrete and forced her shaking legs to stand.

An hour later, Aubree pushed open the heavy door to the Manhattan penthouse. She dragged her soaked body inside. The lights were off. The massive living room was dead silent.

The sharp click of leather dress shoes echoed in the dark. Eli stepped out from the shadows near the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Aubree opened her mouth to speak.

Eli lunged. His large hand clamped around her throat.

He slammed her backward. Her spine hit the freezing marble wall of the entryway. His grip tightened. Her toes barely brushed the floor.

"If anything happens to the heir in her stomach," Eli hissed, his face inches from hers, "you will pay with your life."

Aubree's hands flew up. She clawed at his thick fingers. Her face burned hot, turning a deep shade of red. Her lungs screamed. No sound came out of her mouth.

The panic in her eyes slowly died. Her hands dropped to her sides. She stopped fighting. She stared at him with dead, empty eyes.

The deadness in her stare made Eli flinch. He ripped his hand away. He threw her to the floor like a bag of trash.

Aubree hit the hardwood. She gasped, sucking in huge gulps of air.

Eli stood over her. He adjusted his wrinkled suit cuffs with sharp, rigid movements. "My lawyers will be here tomorrow," he said.

He turned and walked out. The front door slammed shut.

Aubree curled her knees to her chest. She touched the swelling bruises on her neck. A single, hot tear slid down her freezing cheek.