cary silence from before. It was charged. Every time the SUV hit a bu

leather seat. I had frozen when it mattered. If Kae

safety," Kaelen said, not l

e sounded small. "I played the part of the Queen at the cl

't useless, Ivy. You just aren't a killer yet. But in t

stead, he led me down into the basement. I expected a dungeon, but it was a state-of-the-art tra

gun from a locked case-

he said, stepping behind me. "Try this.

e reached around, his large hands covering mine as he helped me lift the weapon. The heat from

, making it hard to breathe. "Line up the sights. Don't fight th

esn't take live

ds, adjusting my grip. "This makes sure you're arou

tion he'd slid onto my head. The gun jumped in my hands, but Kaelen

" he co

nd my ears were ringing, but I was hitting the center of the t

ook the gun from me and set it on the table. "Better.

eat from my forehead. "You could just lock me in

and vulnerable. "Because guards can be bought, Ivy. My father has more money than God. If he wants a guard to

ot too close. "You've spent fifteen years keeping

I've done things that would make you sick. I've spent my life being my fa

And I saw you last night. You saved me twic

hand. His skin was hot, and his knuckles were

his fingers with mine. It was the first time we had touched without

the closer you get to me, the more I realize I'm the biggest threat to your safety. My fat

t I heard it. The word

metal door of the gym swung open. One o

he study. He's asking for the girl. He says he has the res

len stood up instantly, his hand dropp

mples," I whispered, my heart

. "But my father isn't a man who falls for the same trick twice.

kind of fire. "Keep the gun in your blazer. If

Debt" was about to be called in, and the price

s. Kaelen reached back, his hand finding mine one last time, giving it a squeeze that felt like a goodbye. "Whatever happens in there," he murmured, his voice so low only I could hear it, "remember that you are a Thorne. You were born