Chapter 1

The crystal wine glass hit the imported marble floor with a sharp, violent crack that instantly silenced the string quartet tucked into the corner of the grand ballroom. Amber wine spilled like a sudden wound across the immaculate white stone, staining the hem of Julian’s custom-tailored black tuxedo trousers. Julian, his broad shoulders stiff with suppressed rage, stared down at the trembling form of seven-year-old Lily. The little girl’s bright blond p