The hours past midnight hung heavy over Kingsward's most prestigious estate.

In the master bedroom, Julian Hale and Francesca were tangled together in the dark when his phone went off — buried somewhere in the dress pants pooled at the foot of the bed.

Ding, ding. Ding, ding.

It wouldn't stop.

Julian had every intention of ignoring it, but Francesca couldn't focus. She touched his face gently, her voice a soft murmur against his skin. "Go ...