Chapter 10 - The Sabotage
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The kiss shattered every remaining boundary between them. It was fierce, hungry, and tasted of salt and absolute victory. When Rafe’s legs finally gave out three minutes later, they collapsed onto the mattress together, laughing like children, wrapped in each other's arms.
But outside the safety of the penthouse, the real world was plotting their destruction.
The next afternoon, Mara was in the staff locker room, changing into her black suit, when three hotel security guards burst through the door, led by Mrs. Crane and a smugly smiling Sylvia Vance.
"Search her locker," Sylvia ordered, crossing her arms.
"What is going on?" Mara demanded, clutching her clothes to her chest as the guards began tearing through her personal belongings.
"A diamond necklace went missing from my suite this morning," Sylvia sneered, looking Mara up and down with utter contempt. "A very expensive necklace. And since we all know you’re a desperate, impoverished little rat trying to claw your way out of the gutter, it wasn't hard to figure out who took it."
"I haven't been anywhere near your suite!" Mara yelled, panic rising in her throat.
"We'll see," Mrs. Crane said coldly.
One of the guards reached into the back of Mara’s locker. He pulled out a worn, gray duffel bag—Mara’s personal bag. He unzipped it and reached inside.
He pulled out a glittering, heavy diamond necklace.
Mara’s blood ran completely cold. She stared at the diamonds, her mind spinning. "No. No, I didn't put that there! She planted it!"
"Save it for the police," Sylvia smiled wickedly. "You’re a thief, Mara. Grand larceny carries a very long prison sentence in this state. Rafe can't protect you from a felony conviction with physical evidence. Your little game is over."
"Arrest her," Mrs. Crane told the guards.
Two large men grabbed Mara by the arms, twisting them behind her back.
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"Rafe!" Mara screamed as they dragged her out of the locker room, parading her through the hotel’s back corridors like a criminal. "I didn't do it! Tell Rafe!"
Sylvia walked alongside her, leaning in close to whisper in Mara's ear. "He’s not going to save a fat, ugly thief. He’s going to let you rot."
