a's

rged again-sl

hed. No

irm and uncompromising. I could feel the tension in him,

muttered witho

vinced whoever stood on the other sid

n't an

in the corridor. Tall. Well-dressed. Calm in a way that mad

curved h

smoothly. "You're harder

led. "You..

rifle raised. "You shou

d at his chest. "Still so dramatic, Dante. Relax.

help. My kne

be real. "You look just like her mother,"

lenched un

ew my m

ile va

y we

rderous. "Say what you

arn her." His attention returned to me. "You do

sted. "What do

efore you were born. And now that you've been seen with him..." H

ut terror gripped tig

the mark on your wrist. Ask

stif

elling-terrified me more

. Choose carefully who you trust." He halted at the door

closed be

breaking and rushing all at once.

fened. His e

gently. "And if y

t carefully, his thumb stroking

l never st

ook. "Then

s quick. Hone

already sel