a bruise. A cold, persistent rain drizzled down,

the platform above the grave. It was covered in a blanket

by Tessa. Her best friend's arm was wrapped tightly

avily on his cane, his face ashen. Two large bodyguards stood behind

mily. No friends. Just the t

and of the Holy Spirit," the priest murmur

gle white rose from the top of the casket. Sh

little soldier

was loud in the silence. Tessa pulled Beverley back, letting her lean agai

ket was out of sight. He took her hand in

people looking into the surgery. I will get answers. And I p

She didn't have t

nue was silent. The city flash

o grab Aiden's things and leave. She neve

elevator doors op

e. The soft sound of jazz

e walked down the hall and stopped

aleigh Frederick was curled up against him, wearing nothing but one

roasted garlic an

n't jump. He didn't hide

asked, taking a sip of his wine.

e widened her eyes, her lower lip trembling. "Ellwood, m

rley's voice was

room. They landed o

asn't intact. The front section had been snapped off. And sitting in the middle of the broken pieces, crushing the ti

ad been holding her together, the one that told her

nd and walked i

ing room. "Running away again

out the glass carafe. It was full. The coffee maker had

andle. She didn't

ack into the

Her eyes went wide. "

ed right up to the sofa. She r

coffee poured down onto

rward, instinctively shielding Kaleigh, taking the

m. She scrambled back, clutching her elbow, her face co

face red with pain and

carafe. It shattered

ut he was off balance, hi

ted her right foot. The stiletto

, wet thud as the heel punched through the fabric of his trousers and deep into the muscle beneath. El

at the man she had once loved, the man wh

aid, her voice colder than the r

ramatic sobbing. She walked into Aiden's roo