Chapter 1 - THE GIRL BENEATH THE SNOW
The first thing Tony Moretti noticed was that Clara Thorne wasn't breathing normally.
The second was how little she weighed.
He carried her through the broken ballroom doors while snow swirled around his shoes.
“CALL AN AMBULANCE!”
His voice cut through the music.
Twenty conversations stopped.
A violinist lowered his bow.
Someone dropped a champagne glass.
Tony didn't notice.
Clara's head rested against his shoulder.
Her hair was stiff with ice.
Her skin felt frighteningly cold.
“Get blankets,” he ordered.
A security guard ran toward the hallway.
Tony looked around.
“Who locked those doors?”
Nobody answered.
His gaze moved across the ballroom.
Guests avoided his eyes.
Then he saw Lana.
She stood beside the fireplace wearing a crimson gown.
Her expression had changed.
The confidence she had displayed earlier was gone.
Tony looked at her.
“Lana.”
She swallowed.
“Yes?”
“Why was my employee outside?”
Lana blinked.
“I don't know.”
Tony stared.
“Don't lie to me.”
Her cheeks reddened.
“She was looking for my earring.”
Silence.
Tony looked down at Clara.
Then back at his fiancée.
“In this weather?”
Lana folded her arms.
“She volunteered.”
Tony's expression hardened.
“Volunteered?”
Mrs. Gable stepped forward.
“Mr. Moretti, the girl was careless. She spilled wine on Miss Vance and—”
Tony turned.
“Did you send her outside?”
Mrs. Gable froze.
“I…”
“Answer me.”
The housekeeper swallowed.
“Yes, sir.”
Tony's jaw tightened.
“Without a coat?”
Mrs. Gable looked down.
“She was supposed to be quick.”
For a moment, Tony said nothing.
Then he spoke so quietly that everyone strained to hear.
“You sent a woman into a blizzard because of jewelry?”
Lana stepped forward.
“Tony, don't make this dramatic.”
He looked at her.
Then at the diamond earrings sparkling beneath her hair.
Both ears.
Both earrings.
His expression changed.
“Lana.”
She froze.
“Where is the missing earring?”
Her hand moved instinctively toward her ear.
Too late.
Tony had already seen it.
The room went silent.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“You never lost it.”
