Melody paced in the living room of Allan’s condo, switching between wringing her hands and raking them through her hair. Her nerves were shot and her patience was worn. If she had to watch her brother sit against the glass wall looking out at the Hudson River as he clutched onto a piece of paper like it was a lifeline one more day she was going to break the glass and push him out!It had been two weeks since Matthew forced him back to the States. Two weeks of him sitting in the same spot only leaving it to use the bathroom. Two weeks of him looking out at that damn river like it was some sort of world wonder. He didn’t use another part of his condo, and if Melody hadn’t made it a point to cook and force the food down his throat, he would have starved to death.She had left her comfortable home to sleep on her big brother’s couch so she could watch him every single minute of the day because she was afraid he might finally kill himself.Mel

Reno watched his sister as she stood at the beach looking out at the ocean like she did every single day since she came to New Providence. Every time she went missing, this was the place he found her.The first time she disappeared, the same day she arrived in New Providence, he had the employees of Albury Hotel search for her. He found her sitting on the beach, the low waves lapping around her. He’d never been so afraid in his life. For a moment there, he thought she was going to try and drown herself.The girl he’d left in the USA three years ago was different. This girl was always sad, pale, thin, puffy red gloomy eyes and a permanent frown on her face. When he first saw her at the airport, he wasn’t sure it was her. She didn’t even say a word to him she just collapsed into his arms, sobbing her heart out.He’d taken her home, waited patiently for her to tell him what was wrong, but she didn’t speak. She just sat on the sof

Loraine stretched as she walked out of her bedroom and into the living room. She’d taken a nap when they arrived at the apartment but she still felt exhausted. She hated being jetlagged. If it wasn’t for Riana, she would’ve spent the entire day in bed, but it was time for some shrink time with her best friend. But coffee first.She paused when she saw five suitcases sitting in the middle of the living room. They varied in sizes and some had a very familiar pattern on them.“Oh. My. God. No way!” Loraine rushed and knelt next to them and ran her hands over the Dolce & Gabbana suitcases.Only people with money coming out of their asses bought a three-piece set in the signature print of tan and brown colors of Dolce & Gabbana luggage. But it wasn’t just the three pieces sitting on her living room floor, but two more large leather, trimmed printed scotch grain suitcases.Loraine’s family was

Allan laid Riana’s limp body on the bed, his eyes riveted on her face. She looked too peaceful, in fact. He had to press her chest against his on their way up to the suite just to feel her breathe and make sure she was unconscious and not dead.He took off her shoes, and then proceeded to take off his own including his jacket and tie before he joined her on the bed.He touched her face lightly, tracing its structure with his fingers. He wanted to make sure it really was her. Not a clone, or a look-alike, or a figment of his imagination. That Riana was really alive, here, lying in his arms, unconscious from the shock.Where had she been for the last two and a half years? What had she been up to? He knew why she thought he was dead but…how was it she was still alive?He pushed up on his elbow, supporting his head in his hand as he leaned down over Riana, moving so close he could make a perfect shade for her body.How did she escape A

Allan hugged Riana closer to him. They had spent most of the night and into the early hours of the morning making love. Now they just laid together in companionable silence, each of them lost in their thoughts. But Allan could bet they were thinking of the same thing—each other and how lucky they were to have this second chance. Many people begged and prayed for a chance like this and never got it. He was never going to take her for granted ever again. Allan moved to hold Riana more comfortably against him as he battled sleep. He smiled at Riana’s declaration to never ever go to sleep again in fear he might disappear. Silly, yes, but he understood her perfectly. He loved the feel of her warm skin against his, her fingers trailing lazily on his chest as she made small content sighs and mumbled incoherent words under her breathe. Two and a half years he’d gone without this. He was learning to appreciate the saying ‘you don’t know what you have until you lose it’. He wasn’t going to l