Maxwell flung himself into the car, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and tore through the streets toward the Owen villa.
A drive that normally took thirty minutes, he completed in ten frantic ones.
The mansion's sweeping staircase loomed before him. He bounded up it in great strides, his lungs burning but his pace never slowing. But when he reached Scarlett's door, his momentum vanished. His pulse hammered wildly, and his feet locked in place.
He dragged trembling fingers through his wind-whipped hair, smoothed his rumpled suit jacket, brushed dust from his shoes, and straightened his tie. Then he knocked.
His throat tightened as he swallowed hard. 'What name should I use now? Starlight? Scarlett? Or that old, aching endearment I'd just remembered?'
Seconds ticked by. Nothing answ
