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CHAPTER ONE

THE day Jake Raan like any other

He rose at six, had his first cup of strong black coffee while he scanned the New York Times, drank his second after he’d shaved and showered A few ray suit, white shirt and navy tie, he took the private elevator from his Fifth Avenue

duplex to the marble lobby

His black Mercedes waited at the curb The driver had been with hi time and knew better than to leap from the car to open and close the door for his boss Jake had homes on both coasts and was rumored to own half the skyscrapers in Manhattan, but old habits died hard

People orked for Jake Ramirez were not his servants

“Morning, Ramirez”

“Good , Dario”

His driver pulled into traffic As always, Jake spent a couple ofhiahter won the part she’d tried out for in the school play? Then, also as always, Dario raised the privacy partition, Jake took out his cell phone and started his day

First, a call to his office He had a breakfast e but he wanted to touch base with his PA Belle was alht already be at her desk

Not today, though Jake left amachine as the car headed don It saved time, and ti the size of Ramirez Enterprises

Calls to people he was currently doing business with caious memory—as he reassured one, questioned another, told a third he’d fly out at the end of the week to deal personally with a developing problem

The cell phone rang before he could dial again Jake checked the incoht the phone to his ear