"Hello again, Mr. Walters. I need to speak with my client now if you don't mind. I have to make arrangements to get her out of this place by Christmas."

"Yes, she's coming to our Christmas party that day. Don't let me prevent you from making that happen.

Ed kissed the knuckles on Victoria's left hand and nodded his goodbyes to her. He walked over to see Zoe and noticed Sophia was watching him approach with real fear in her eye. He saw it was only Zoe's grip on her hand that kept the young woman from fleeing.

Ed sat down across from her and saw she was trembling.

He...