Chapter 10

The next morning, I went to pick up the wedding ring.

Tim and I would marry, and after the ceremony, we were flying out on a round-the-world honeymoon. A clean punctuation on a chaotic chapter.

I walked out of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue, lifting the custom ring into the sunlight. I was picturing how it would look on my hand.

I didn't see the two men on the corner, already moving on me.

I turned down the alley, and a shadow lunged. A hand ripped the jeweler's bag out of mine. I spun to chase, pure instinct—

Cold flashed behind me.

The knife went in below my ribs. Warm blood poured out.

I staggered. As I fell, a voice murmured, cold and efficient:

"The boss said you were in the way."

Everything went black.