rtet played near the stage. Claire stood hidden in the deep shadows behind the heavy velvet sid

ng clinging to his arm, flashing a fake smile at a group of Wall Street executive

ity councilman is heading

n the crowd, his voice coming

aining tone with me, C

deeper behind the velvet drape. Her only personal goa

he ballroom. The chattering crowd parted automatically

in the curtain. Her breath caught in her

nd his dark eyes radiating cold authority. Clinging tightly to his left arm in a

the freezing general ward and the divorce papers hit her all over again. She spun on her heel, turning

the crowd and locked onto the swaying edge of the velvet curtain. He had only caught a glimpse of lig

toward the side stage, ignoring the startled whispers around him. Everlee stumbled

e exact rhythm of those leather soles all too well. Breaking into a near run, she darted down the narrow

st the wooden door, holding her

ridor seemed to drop ten degrees. Alexander stood staring at the closed door, slowl

scent of cedarwood and dark tobacco drifting through the gap be

lick. Claire dug her fingernails into the paint

r you in the VIP lounge. The priv

, Alexander's personal assistant

he gripped the jammed lever. He stared at the wood for ten agonizing s

t i

was sitting on the tile floor. Cold sweat soaked the back of her silk blouse. She squeezed her e

regnancy test she had bought from a pharmacy. Her fingers brushed coldly over her still faintly aching lower abdomen, and she nearly broke down on the spot-that tiny life was the only hope

t off all ties, raise the child alone, and

ed the door, her blue eyes completely cold once more. Checking her watch, she s

, and stepped into the bustling catering prep area. She walked over to a long

icious female voice cut t

't this the former Mrs. Valenzu