at stare was still branded ont

barbecue. The lights inside the Holmes mansion were dimmed to a moody glo

but her nerves were stretched taut. Her eyes scanned every room, every cluster of people, search

confirmed: he was dangerous. The kind of dangerous that didn't announce itself with loud threats but with quiet, absolute certainty. Every hushed mention of his name-his business deals, his reputation, the way even p

om champagne, grabbed Alexa's hand and dragged her

lights strobed across the room, making it hard to focus. But t

look

m, leaning against the ornate railing. A glass of amber liquid-whiskey, pr

ssessive. Like he had al

he stumbled, pulling away from Jeri

get away from that look. She didn't go to the main powder room, which had

nd her. At the very end, near a door she assumed led to a st

l, closing her eyes, trying to

t out of t

ength, yanking her off her feet and deeper in

oat as a large, warm han

whiskey and the faint, lingering

ma

immovable cage. His height, his sheer presence, consu

trapped animal. Hot tears

mble, right beside her

her skin, sending a shiver

cally, a pathetic, muffle

slowly removed his hand from her mouth, but only to slide it down and cup

it?" It wasn't a question.

arful nod, too t

roking the soft skin beneath her chin. "Walking up t

ounded like a threat. A predator admiring its prey's spirit before the kill

k finally spilled over, tracing

ed on hi

n a flash of defiance. Not this silent, broken weeping. A flicker of frustration crossed his

lnerability only sh

ri's voice, faint but clea

d broke

a step back, melting into the sha

voice once again a cool, calm

e she could even

ped her arms around her knees, her heart feeling like it was trying to