Avery stiffens and pulls away from Andrew. He's wearing a self-satisfied smirk, and she wants to slap him across the face.

"You want me to meet your mother?" she asks.

"Of course," Andrew says. "Getting married is a big deal, and I want to introduce my family to you."

"Do I have to?" she asks. "Can't I just meet them at the wedding?"

"Yes, you have to, and no, you can't wait for the wedding," Andrew says.

"But what if your mother doesn't like me?" she asks. "Your sister already hates me—I don't even know what I did to upset her."

Andrew's forehead wrinkles, but then he smiles and says, "You're gorgeous and smart. I'm sure she'll like it."

"Can't you find another smart, gorgeous woman to introduce to your family?" she asks.

"You know you're the only one for me," Andrew says, pulling her back.

"Okay fine," she says. "Let's look at the gifts we're bringing her."

Andrew claps his hands, and a team of maids runs into the room. One by one, the women take bags and show Avery what's inside. There are limited edition handbags, perfumes, skin creams and serums, an emerald bracelet, and a white jade snuff bottle for Andrew's father. After showing off the gifts, the maids rewrap the items in tissue paper, careful to avoid creasing anything.

"It's all very nice," Avery says, stretching out on the couch. "We can give her whatever you prefer, Andrew."

Andrew nods and points at several bags. The maids separate those items from the others and clear everything away from the room. Avery watches them, twirling a strand of her long hair around her finger.

"Won't they object to me?" she asks. "I mean, I am divorced. And my ex is a Howel. Surely, they'll want you to have a nice, unspoiled bride to give your heirs."

"Relax," Andrew says. "My dad is very open-minded."

"So open-minded, he won't care that I'm pregnant with another man's baby?" Avery asks.

Andrew's jaw clenches, but he says, "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Anyway, what do your parents like to do?" she asks. "Do they have any hobbies or special interests?"

Andrew smiles and asks, "Already trying to make them like you?"

"Something like that," she says, smiling to herself.

She wants to know their interests so she can be as rude as possible. If she can make Andrew's parents hate her, they might forbid Andrew from marrying her. Of course, I'd still have to stay with him until he gives the heart back, she thinks. But that's much better than having this awful, embarrassing wedding.

"Well, my dad likes chess and Chinese chess," Andrew says.

"Okay," Avery says. "Does he like fishing? Or golf?"

"Not really," Andrew says.

She stops playing with her hair and stretches on the sofa. Andrew comes and sits by her side. He folds his hands in his lap, but he looks like he wants to touch her.

"So what don't they like?" she asks, trying to make her voice casual. "I don't want to offend them by mistake."

Andrew reaches out and brushes his finger across her cheek. His eyes are soft and gentle, but there's a fire burning behind them. She blinks up at him, fluttering her long, dark lashes.

"You don't have to worry about them," he says. "I'd much rather you use your free time to please me."

He leans down until his lips are just inches from hers, but before he can kiss her, there's a high pitched shriek. He straightens up and looks around. There's another shriek—it seems to be coming from upstairs.

"Take it away," Jessica screams, her voice hysterical. "Take it all away!"

"What did you give her?" Andrew asks.

"Some wigs," Avery says. "I thought she needed them."

"How considerate," Andrew says, his voice sarcastic but amused. "Anyway, I guess now is as good a time as any for you to go upstairs and pack. We're going to spend a few days at my parents' place."

"Sure," Avery says.

She walks upstairs to the bedroom but stops outside the door. Piles of torn cloth litter the floor in the hallway. She bends over and picks up a strip of blue silk and then another of red lace. It looks like someone has shredded all her clothing.

Andrew stops behind her and shouts, "What the hell happened here?"

"I'm so sorry, sir," a servant says. "Somehow, Miss Clifford got out of the attic. We caught her cutting up all of Mrs. Clifford's things. We got Miss Clifford back into the attic, but we didn't have time to replace the ruined clothes."

Andrew's face goes dark, and he says, "Pack her things up too. We're taking her back to my parents' place and leaving her there. I'm sick of her acting like a child in my house."

"I don't care about the clothes," Avery says.

She digs around in her purse and pulls her phone out. She thought she felt it buzz, but the screen shows no new messages or texts. She sighs and puts the phone away.

"What's going on?" Andrew asks.

"I'm worried about my sister," she says. "I've called her twenty times, and she hasn't called me back. I even called her from the mall, but it went straight to voicemail."

"Oh, she probably doesn't have time for your call," Andrew says, looking down at his feet.

"You know where she is?" Avery asks.

"Of course, I do," Andrew says. "You know my family has lots of connections. We can find anyone."

Avery nods. There's a rumor that the Clifford family has spies and informants at the top of all of the country's federal intelligence agencies. It's said that they can find anyone in the world, and it must be true because Andrew beat Evan to Charles.

"So, where's my sister?" Avery asks.

"Last I heard, she was at Top Girls Club," he says.

"What?" Avery screams.

She grabs Andrew's collar and forces him to look at her. He smirks, but he looks slightly ashamed. She tightens her grip, and he coughs and tries to pull his head away.

"My sister is in a brothel, and you didn't tell me?" she asks.

"Technically, it's a members-only nightclub," Andrew chokes out.

She lets go of his collar and slaps him across the face. No matter what men like Andrew call it, Top Girls Club is nothing but a fancy whorehouse. Only powerful and wealthy men can get a membership, and once they do, they spend their nights there enjoying wine and women.

Every few years, the police pretend to crack it down, but they never arrest anyone at Top Girls Club. The tabloids say it's because some of the members control the police, and Avery believes it. After all, the club's security team is made of ex-special forces soldiers who use patrol wolves instead of dogs.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" she asks. "I have to rescue her."

Andrew is still gasping for breath and rubbing the sore spot on his cheek. He reaches for her, but she raises her hand to slap him again, and he backs away.

"There's nothing you can do, honey," he says. "There's a reason Jackson is keeping her there—it's impossible to sneak in or out. Trying to get in without an invitation is basically suicide."

"You have to be kidding me," she says. "Who knows what Jackson is making her do there?"

"I imagine he's finding a way for her to repay her debt," Andrew says, dodging out of the way before she can slap him.

"Andrew, you spineless coward," she yells. "You're afraid of everyone. Can't you even handle Jackson? Now I know why Evan usually beats you."

"Don't try to provoke me—Jackson is far more dangerous than you realize," Andrew says. "But I'll make a deal with you: if you behave yourself with my parents, I'll take you to Top Girls Club. I just so happen to have a membership, so I can get us in."

"Of course you're a member," Avery says with disgust. "But I'm not going to wait to get Gabby. I promise to make a good impression on your parents, but we have to save my sister now."

"Don't worry," Andrew says. "I don't think Jackson will let your sister entertain guests like normal girls. He paid a really high price for her, and I'm sure he's saving her for something special. Of course, if she pisses him off, that might be a different story."

"I can't believe you, Andrew," Avery hisses.

"Trust me," Andrew says. "Your sister is a little too thin and immature for most men. Most men prefer someone a bit curvier, like you."

He reaches out and pinches her ass, and she grabs his collar again. She squeezes until his face goes red, and a button pops off. He tries to push her away, but she tightens her grip and stares deep into his eyes. She lets go and pushes him onto the ground.

"Jesus, honey," he says, gasping for breath after each word. "You're tough."

"If Gabrielle has been hurt in any way, and I mean any way at all, I'm going to make your life a living hell," Avery says.

"Trust me, it'll be fine," Andrew says. "When have I ever lied to you?"

You've lied to me many times, she thinks. But she doesn't say anything out loud. Andrew is her only hope if she wants to rescue Gabrielle. She has no choice but to believe him.