d numbed her legs, and the faint smell of diesel and old upholstery clung to her coat. Outside the window, the sleek skyscraper

geographical locatio

eath her cheekbones more pronounced than she remembered. Three years of ma

m that your personal effects have been delivered to the specified address in

d with-and stepped off into the brisk air. The smell hit her immediately: rust, coal dust, and damp

-story house at the end of the block. The white paint was peeling, and t

open before she cou

backer, thick arms crossed over a stained t-shirt. His face

in," he said, his voice a low r

Her throat was dry, the wor

r. A sneer twisted his lips. "Let me guess

orch, her hands clasped in front of her. She was wearing a sundress, a brand-new designer label that Ka

nce was so worried when you left, he insisted I come check on you, make sure

d face softening as he reached out to steady Calista. "H

You better have a good explanati

slow. "The lab? The accident was months a

. They'll say anything to protect the affirmative action cases they let in. Cal

andan's sleeve. Her eyes glistened. "Brandan, please

could have been killed! You ruined her research, and now you're bac

in his hand. Jefferson, the middle brother, leaned against the stair railing. Ne

ayer of dust, was an old Ford Mustang. It was a classic, a '69 fastback. Kasie had bough

drive that anymore

ore Kasie could react, his hand shot into her coat pocket. He pu

surprised look. "Here. Your car got scratched ta

ll smile playing on her lips. "

ndan barked, cuttin

a, their protectiveness a wall she could never breach. The last ember of warmth in

abbed the handle of her suitcase and walked past the