the mention of the name, Ace felt a pang of regret. Even

gaze softened, replaced by

bed, deliberately creating space between

oice much gentler than befo

looked up at him, her expression a mixture of con

and sincere. "Knocking you out and bringing

not stand by and watch you walk back into a h

red. She thought of Ivette's hands, of

ntinued, sensing her fragile state. "You

me?" she asked again, h

ce gave her

up a hand as he saw the look of disbelief return to

lose, and sat down, creating the atmosphe

he wanted to destroy you, and she was more than happy t

at happens next. If we do nothing, your reputation is annihilated,

brutally honest. She

ting, "if we get married, the

an who takes responsibility, and you, as the future Mrs. Griffith,

y Ivette did again. The Terry fami

was safe, powerful, and free from the torment of

She had to admit, the

held her back. The

st. "You could easily clear your name and walk away. Why c

her about seeing her save the child, but that would feel like

t reason. A simpler

you," he said, his voice low an

nesty of his words mad

e. Think of this as a contract. An alliance. I give you sanctuary and

eal, made it infinitely easier for her to

, yes, but he was also logical. He had identified

ust began to sprout in the

es. But she didn

he whispered. "I

onumental