His important dinner party had started. The white wine hadn’t been taken from the cooler, so it would be too cold. The hors d’oeuvres hadn’t been baked, the cake hadn’t been iced, and there had been no one to cook the chicken.

She certainly hadn’t showered, nor had she put on makeup. She caught a glimpse of her appearance in her side mirror. She looked like a half-drowned rat.

Okay, she thought. What am I going to do now?

I could go in the back way, slip upstairs and clean up, go back down and make my excuses. Austin will be furious, but he’ll hide it with warm smiles and a kiss on the cheek.

Afterward, he’ll lecture me. He might yell a bit. I could make up some lie about going to help a friend in trouble, tell the truth about my car breaking down, and the whole thing would blow over.

But no. I don’t think so.

She strode for the front door, picking up speed as she went, while the frozen lump in her chest melted into something hot and volcanic. Anger felt like a wild animal living in her chest. It made her strides long and powerful.

In the door.

Past well-dressed, startled people. Molly let the rage take over while she hovered high in one corner of her mind, watching.

The colors of the guest’s clothes seemed garish, too bright. Many of the women were beautiful, their painted mouths forming words as they stared at her, some catty and judging, others disturbed. Was the owner of the panties here? Possibly.

She stalked past partners in Austin’s firm and their significant others. Select clients. Judge Mallory. Somewhere, the new DA, Josiah Mason, would be mingling. A real up-and-comer, people called him. A man to be careful around. A man to watch.

Everyone had drinks. Several people called out questions and greetings, but she didn’t answer. She had a single objective.

She found Austin talking to Russell Sherman, the managing partner of the firm, and a tall, imposing man she didn’t recognize. When she drew close, the three turned to her. Her sense of disconnection vanished, and suddenly she slammed back into her body again.

Austin’s handsome face creased in a smile while his sharp gaze looked murderous. “There you are, honey. What happened? I was getting worried about y—”

As he talked, she reached out and dropped the wadded-up panties in his martini glass. His words cut off, like flying birds shot out of the sky.