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" written

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

asked, genuinely curious. No one she knew would send a whole goon

you get there," the man replied. "Ms. Jewell, please step out of the

rearview mirror, silently begging her to go and take the

"Sorry for scaring you. Thanks

point arguing. Whatever these guys wanted, they

explain where they were going. One of the men just stared at her the whole ride, which was

this was, they clearly had money and power. She wondered who'd

pulled up to the entrance of a five-star hotel

a thick Cuban cigar in one hand, a glass of scotch on thez table in front of him. As the door opened, he looked

said, gesturing to the sofa