A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

The driver was practically shaking in his seat, especially when he saw all those men piling out of the black SUVs behind them.

"Uh, look, this has nothing to do with me, right? Maybe... you should get out? They're probably here for you!" he stammered, darting nervous glances at Calliope.

Calliope just stared out the window, silent. Honestly, she didn't have a clue who these guys were. She didn't recognize the cars, the men, nothing. She hadn't pissed anyone off lately, at least not that she knew of. So why on earth would a whole squad of men show up for her in the middle of the night?

"Maybe," she replied, not entirely convinced herself.

Before she could even open the door, one of the men was already knocking on her window.

The driver, clearly terrified, rolled it down for her.

"Ms. Jewell?" the man asked, peering in.

"That's me," Calliope said, giving him a level look. "So, who are you guys, and what do you want?"

was late, and the whole thing had "bad news"

Would you mind coming with us?" he said, polite enough, but his

is?" she asked, genuinely curious. No one she knew would send

man replied. "Ms. Jewell, please step out of the car. I'm sure

glanced at her helplessly in the rearview mirror, silently begging her to go

smile. "Sorry for scaring you. Thanks for the ride," she

these guys wanted, they weren't giving her

SUV. No one spoke to her or bothered to explain where they were going. One of the men just stared

clearly had money and power. She wondered who'd gone to all

to the entrance of a five-star hotel downtown. She was ushered straight up

of scotch on thez table in front of him. As the door

said, gesturing to the sofa across