up the

hat I feared most. My mot

r ashes on Ian's hum

or. A servant delivered a c

chanically, I shed th

, wearing unfamiliar pajamas, I

sed to explain

o back, to the hell

wouldn't dra

y matched. If I caused a direct con

owed him

everyone slept, I quietly sl

the driver the address

n the rearview mirror, eye

te wealthy district in the dead

of the villa. The massive

at on the sofa, the ashtray in front of

ootsteps and l

bloodshot, s

rd him, each s

accusations, may

was none

er, took off his suit jack

essed like that?" he said, his voice g

sofa, then turned and

he had a dry tow

me, carefully

wet. You'll c

scalp occasionally, carryi

rigidly, too ca

at game he was p

rm was more terrifying t

nly spoke, his voi

shouldn't have abandoned you

d, pressing it

has depression. I

excuse as

sed Jemma's depression to

ly tender eyes, I felt

ere. Okay?" he asked as he pulled a document from u

this?" I

ontr

tugged at the cor

he wants to break into the field. But she has no

sank bi

her artist. You'll paint all the p

ssed my

est team of specialists abroad for your mother's s

. "As long as you obey,

the ICU on Ian's humanity. Any chanc

un for hire, to use my talen

it. Looking at his feigned tenderness, I

ound myself