Maddie stood completely still in her bedroom, staring nervously at her reflection as Vance gently fastened a stunning, heavy diamond necklace around her neck.

Hidden perfectly inside the massive, glittering pendant was a state-of-the-art, highly sensitive audio and video transmitter wired directly to the FBI.

Vance gently turned her around, his hands resting warmly and protectively on her bare shoulders, his gray eyes filled with deep, profound apology.

He softly told her that she absolutely did not have to do this, offering to storm the gala himself and end the war violently.

Maddie reached up and gently touched his cheek, her voice completely steady, incredibly brave, and entirely devoid of the fear that once controlled her.

She told him that Grant had terrorized her family for far too long, and she desperately needed to be the one to finally close the trap.

Vance nodded slowly, a look of absolute, breathtaking respect and deep awe completely washing over his handsome, tired features.

They arrived at the massive, incredibly opulent ballroom separately, perfectly maintaining the deep public illusion that they were still bitter, hateful enemies.

The massive room was completely filled with New York’s highest society, glittering endlessly with expensive champagne, flashing cameras, and terrifyingly powerful people.

Maddie took a deep, steadying breath and walked gracefully into the massive crowd, looking exactly like a terrified, trapped woman desperately seeking a savior.

Grant spotted her instantly, smoothly detaching himself from a group of wealthy investors and walking toward her with a sickening, victorious smirk.

He aggressively grabbed her arm, completely ignoring the polite public setting, and pulled her roughly into a heavily soundproofed, private VIP alcove.

He absolutely did not know that Vance was standing quietly in the main security control room, his finger hovering dangerously over the master audio switch.

Grant looked down at Maddie with pure, highly toxic triumph, believing he had finally, absolutely broken the only woman he could not possess.

The trap was completely set, the bait was perfectly placed, and the arrogant predator was entirely blind to the massive hunter waiting in the shadows.