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?"

whole thing had "bad news" written

have a word with you. Would you mind coming with us?" he said, polite enough, but his tone was more "invitation you

would send a whole goon squad to fetch

the man replied. "Ms. Jewell, please step out of the car. I'm sure you wouldn't

mirror, silently begging

shot him an apologetic smile. "Sorry for scaring you.

was no point arguing. Whatever these guys wanted, they weren't

to her or bothered to explain where they were going. One of the men just stared at her the whole ride,

clearly had money and power. She wondered who'd

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

a thick Cuban cigar in one hand, a glass of scotch on thez table in front of him. As

said, gesturing to the sofa