His Dark Embrace, Her Redeeming Love

nquet. But Chace, my partner, didn't look at me; he turned to Karyn, sliding his family's heirloom emerald ring onto her fin

old marble floor. Karyn mocked me, but it was Chace's icy gaze that truly shattered me. He dismissed our past

nster veiled in cold disdain. My heartbreak bled out, replaced by a reckle

with terror in the New York underground: Keith Mosley. My text was brief: "I am ready to pay my debt.

pte

er

of the Manhattan penthouse banquet hall, s

gown. My fingers reached up, unconscio

, I wore it like a second skin. It was the uniform of

years ago. I remembered the heavy smell of copper in the air. I remembered kneeling o

is heart. It was the ironclad proof tha

e tray reflecting the light and blocking

my collarbone and turned ba

quinted against the harsh light, scanning the sea of tailored suit

zz music playing throug

ine echoed through the room. He announced that there wa

mile touched my lips. I picked up the heavy silk ski

le, blinding spotlight snapped on,

e made me freez

that fit him perfectly. His jaw was sharp, and his lips were curved into

d the gang wars, the poverty, the hostile corporate takeovers. H

or him to

o the side. He reached his hand

lace glove reached out from the

vibrant red dress that demanded attention. She moved clo

turned to stone. My pupils dilated as I

t jacket pocket. He pulled

and flicked the latch

emerald diamond ring. It was t

orking. The air in

et of our bedroom. I thought that ring was my salvation. I thought it was the only thing tha

tirely on her. He took her hand, slid the emerald ring out of

f the family

pplause. The sound hit me like a physical wave, d

a step back. My high heels slipped against t

ds. Their eyes swept up and down my pale face and my white d

uth. A massive diamond flashed on her finger. Sh

pill, but I dug my fingernails into my palms. I for

e took the microph

through the crowd and lan

face desperately, looking for a hint of regret, a sign

was no

mth. There was only cold, calculating

slowly. He announced to the room that Karyn wa

t wild. Camera flashes exploded like ligh

pointed toward the shadows. He asked loud

is thin lips parted, spitting out

e massive speakers, reachin

asset under my name to