a's silk nightgown, raising goosebumps on her arms. She wrapped her arms

ring served a dual purpose. It made her look vulnerable

it hallway. He was up there. She couldn't see him, but she could feel his gaze like a physical weig

Let hi

spot. Seven years ago, she had stood here, her heart pounding with hope, waiti

mory just m

edge to her left. A figure emerged, br

dark hair, a jawline that belonged on a magazine cover, and eyes tha

grabbed her wrist, his grip tight and sweaty. "Thank god you're okay. I got your

made her skin crawl. She didn't pull away, thou

d them felt heavy, charged with a violent energy that was pressing down

is arms around her in a suffocating hug. He buried his face i

ant touch you ever again. Just come with me. We'll go back

r. He wanted the Parrish family shares that came with her. He wanted the ego boost of ste

st choked her. This was the man she had ruin

ension in the air was like a pulled rubber band

as t

o kiss her. "Just trust me,

She shoved him back hard, the force

ught his balance and stared at her, his perfect face

night air between them. She looked at him, really looked a

"What's wrong with you?

she tilted her chin up and looked

t. Her voice wasn't loud, but it cut

face. He slowly turned his head to follo

t the chirping of crickets and the

rry of a cigar. It illuminated a sliver of a harsh jawli

stood at the window like a dark god looking down on his domain, hi

ved Essex would be there. He thought Mila's plan was f

ense of grim satisfaction. The mouse ha

playing on her lips. The stage was set. The spotli