se living room like a predator

He ignored the blood on the ashtray, the cowering figure

azer-a dark, exquisitely tailored jacket that probably cost more than their mortgage payment-and draped it over

e for her ears alone.

he said. "

e tears she'd been holding back streamed down her face

und his voice, though it was thin and ree

still clutching his bleeding head, staring at Garrison with a mixtu

didn't offer a card or a name, only a voi

ide and let us leave, and you will only have to deal with the police report for this," he gestured to Shane's head, "and the rest

emanating from this stranger. There was no mention of companies or l

but the conviction was gone f

said, his voice cutting through the air like glass.

ession softening instantly. "Where

a lifeline. She nodded numbly and poin

g hand on her back and

ed, scrambling to his feet, driven by

ed for them, he moved with a fluid, brutal economy

m, followed by a high-pitched scream of ag

e whimpering man with utter contempt. "If you ever touch her again," he sa

ood frozen, staring at his writhing son, a

w her single, worn suitcase on the bed. Without a word, he began to effi

ley's hand with the other. Her fingers were like ice, and they were still t

living room. The family part

sed. He looked back at Dozier,

member of your family attempts to contact her in any way, you will f

door, closing it softly behind t

as idling. A Bentley. A driver s

hrough the fog of her shock. A Bentley? But she was to

e door closed, shutting out the sounds of the ugly stre

one-rattling shudder went through her body. The tears started again, bu

ater from the console and turned up the heat, giving her