hinges, revealing a room that was barely large

nessa's room," Frank said, hi

f the space. The bottom bunk was empty, stripped to the bare mattress. The wall beside it

e, carrying the faint, cloying scent

mine," she said, claiming her territ

cluttered desk in the co

ood," Ar

bottom bunk. The mattress springs

ay. He saw Aria looking a

own," he spat out. "She's co

nessa smiling at a school dan

tion of touching

neck, trying to see inside. He expected st

iced-and pulled out a slim, carbon-fiber laptop. She placed it under the pil

bathroom?" sh

d, not looking up from her phone. "Boiler is old.

The shower curtain hung by three rings. She turned the knob. The pipes shuddere

endured ice baths during training that made this feel like a spa day. She washe

the room, towel-dryin

ad her backpack open. His hand wa

ides. She didn't yell. She moved

nch she knew; she used simple leverage, twisting his arm just enough to

pain and shock. He dropped the bag

umping down from the to

red haze of defensive instinct clear

ce was calm, but there was a tremor of

ready turning red. He looked at her with fear. N

oney in there

one Leo hadn't touched-and pulled out a small, p

n the bed frame," she

d it ou

His lip wobbled. He snatched the bear from her

tress offered zero support. Her back, sc

e light. The room p

om of the top bunk. She could hear

illow, dimming the screen to the lowe

ad increased by three million dollars i

osed t

e living room, she hear

need to get a mattress pad or som

you love t

osed he