Hardingwatched her, his expressionintense ˆYouare not Just Mrs. Snow, he said, his voice low and resonant. 'You are the co-commander of this empire. Your command is my command.” She met hisgaze, her own reflecting a new, steely resolve. She would not bea liability. She would be his greatest asset Just then, an alert buzzed in Alex's earpiece. His professional calm fractured for a second, his jaw tightening "Sir, he said, turningto Harding. ‘We have a situation. Connor Snow is on Fifth Avenue, near the flagship Cartier store. He appears to be waiting looking for an opportunity” Adangerous predatory light flared in Harding'seyes. ‘Does heneedto be... removed?” he asked, his voice droppingto a chilling whisper He looked at Anissa "Or would you prefer to take a drive?" Harding's offer was temptingto have Connor simply disappear, erased from her life like a bad debt. But Anissa shook her head. Some wounds needed to be cauterized in person She needed him to see her, to see the woman he had discarded standing beside the man who now owned his world. The humiliation would be a far more satisfying revenge than a quiet disappearance. She needed to be the one to deliver the final, killing blow, Anissa straightened her shoulders, the fabric of her suit feeling like a suit of armor. "Let's go for a drive,” she said, her voice cold as ice. It's time | took out my own trash,” Harding nodded once. ‘Alex, pr epare the motorcade.” Minutes later, a convoy of three black Maybachs slid silently out of the undergroundgarage. Anissa sat in the back of the center car, the tinted, bulletproof windows turningthe bustling streets of New Yorkinto a silent film. As the motorcade slowed for a construction bottleneck near the Plaza, a figure burst from the crowded sidewalk. Connor. He must have been stalking the perimeter for hours, waiting for the cars to decelerate. He sprintedinto the street, placing himself directly in front of their lead car, forcingit to a halt Alex, in the front passenger seat, instantly had his hand on the weapon holstered under his jacket. "All units, hold position Potential threat,” he ‘murmured into his wrist communicator. Connorspotted her car and ran toward it, his fists poundingagainst the thick impenetrable glass. “Anissal" he screamed, his voice muffled but his face contorted with rage 206% 0929 NI Si —-+
O7 $8 +120 Points at most
and a strange, pleading desperation. "Anissa get out of the car! We need
to talk! Let me save you!"
She looked at the pathetic crealure on the other side of the glass. The
man she had once loved, the man who had destroyed her. She felt
nothing Not païn not sadness. Just a profound weary disgust
With a steady hand, she pressed the button to lower the window a few
inches.
The sounds of the city, and of his frantic voice, rushedin.
“What do you want, Conno?" she asked, her voice utterly devoid of
‘emotion.
He sagged against the car, relief washing over his face. He thought he
had broken through "Anissa, thank God. I'm here to get you out. | know
he's forcing you. | know he's blackmailing you. Just giveme a sign ! ll get
you away from him. We can run away together.”
A laugh, sharp and mocking es caped her lips. "Who, exactly, told you |
was beingforced?"
He stared at her, confused. "He is! He has to be! Just come with me,
Anissa Il take care of you. ll protect you."
Her eyes turned to chips of ice. She leaned forward, her voice a low,
cutting whisperthat sliced through his delusion.
“I married himbecause | wanted to, Connor.”
She let the words hangin the ai for a moment before dellveringthe final
blow.
“And you? You are just something | threw away."
The words hit himlike a physicalblow. His face crumpled. Ina fit of pure,
instinctual rage, he reached through the gap in the window, his fingers
clawing, trying to grab her.
The window slid shut, blockinghim.
AU that exact moment, the back door of the Maybach behind them
‘opened.
Harding emerged
He was wearinga long, black overcoat, his figure silhouetted against the
midday sun He moved with the silent, deadly grace of a panther, every
st ep radiating an aura of absolute, crushingpower.
Connorsaw him and stumbled back, a flicker of primal fear in his eyes.
631% 0929 NI EE —
HT 8 +120 Points at most But his desperation was stronger. He pointega shakingfinger at Harding "You!" he shrieked "You did this! You stole herfrom me! You'rea monster, a vulture!
Harding didn‘ even glance at him He walked to Anissa's window, bent down slightly, his presencea shield between her and the world
“Madam, he said, his voice a low, intimate rumble that was only for her “There appears to be some garbage blocking our path. Shall | have it removed?”
Anissalooked up at him at the man who was her husband her protector A warmth spread through her chest, a feeling so new, so powerful, ít almost took her breath away
She shook her head, a small, dangerous smile playing on her lips.
“Don't dirty your hands,” she said. fll handle it myself
100.0% 0929 wl
< Marrying My Exs Powerfu! Bllonare Unde #* 4120 Points at most