old-world legitimacy. Brendan, for all his arrogance, always walked a little straighter, spoke a little softer, in Graham's presence

omous. She knew something was off. Her "innocent" sniff of the air, her sudden questions, were not random. That wo

ing, dangerous silence. I could almost hear the gears

As soon as Brendan stepped out of the car, she was draped over his arm, a picture of delicate exhaustion. "Oh, Brendan, darling, I'm so ut

ouse is so grand, but also a little... spooky. Would you mind terribly if I stayed in your suite? Just

mind, do you, Alexia? Just for tonight. I'm truly not fe

n his eyes. He knew. He knew what he was asking. He was seekin

"In fact, I insist. Why don't I just take your room? It'll be simpler that way." My

uch my arm. "I'll make it up to you. I promise." His words were hollow, a familiar refrain of

rsonal. My exhaustion deepened, a bone-deep weariness that had nothing to do with the car ride. It was the exhaustion of constantly fightin

fort. But his touch, once familiar, now felt alien, almost repul

n his shoulder, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips. She look

ought of the gala, the endless networking, the forced smiles, overwhelmed me. All

bag gently from my hand. "Brendan's suite is on the second floor, overlooking the main fountain. Kasey's original room, the one you'll be taking, is at the far end of the west wi

of calm settling over me. We walked in silence, his broad shoulders a comforting presence in f

s empty, hushed. He opened the door, a faint creak echoing in the silence. The room was indee

against the doorframe, his eyes fixed on me. "So," he said, his voice quiet, almost challeng

me, through all of it. "What are you ta

nwavering. "He let her walk all over you, again." His words were

over me. "He's an idiot," I muttered, the w

He pushed off the doorframe, taking a step towards me. The

warmer, infused with something potent and dangerous. I could feel th

eminded me, his voice a low