ight. The room smelled of old books and cigar smoke. Stacks of paper

g off a plane four years ago, her face pale, her coat wrapped tig

y on the yacht. The week Bernardo had woken up in his cabin, alo

nd reached for the secure phone on the ta

And rang.

the head of a long mahogany table. The air in the conference room was fr

is phone, his eyes never leaving the tr

Bernardo

n," Thurston said

le

e tip pressed down hard, tearing through the

ardo's voice was

is voice firm. "A boy and a girl. They

ugh. He tossed the ruined pen ont

is year," Bernardo said. "I don't leave loos

, ignoring the insult. "The girl is your

. A flash of memory hit him-the smell of rain, a woman's

d, his tone absolute. "It's a setup. I want the na

ist onto the coffee table. "West blood does not walk

chair rolled back and hit the

id, his voice like ice. "I am not some

t," Thurston challen

nd the legal team and the doctors.

oice was iron. "Yo

for field trips,"

ewrite the family trust. You will lose your voting

floor-to-ceiling window, his reflection glaring b

fing," Berna

Thurston

It smashed against the glass wall, shattering into pieces of pl

is assistant peeke

we continue

me the security footage from the Leviathan.

the cold glass. He unbuttoned his collar, his fingers brushing the faint, crescent-shape

neglect. A single small duffel bag lay open beside her, its contents hastily packed before the flight. She had just pulled out a few of the childr

icked

el

the West Group. We have been informed of your claims. A medical team wi

e tiny shirt in her hand. Sh

Bernardo?"

s tone dismissive. "This is a standard procedure. Y

Darlee

your

strangers into my home to draw my children's blood. If Bernardo wants this

n no position to make de

fixed on Aria's sleeping form on the bed beside he

nding. She knew Bernardo. She knew his pride. He would come. He

ee the bite mark on his ches