oom blinded Darla for a fraction of

ndreds of eyes shifted from t

ghtly gripping Anson's arm. He moved beside her

face red and sweating. He had just been trying to conv

. The words died in his throa

room. Agnes stomped toward her, her

issed, pointing a manicured finger at

to introduce everyone to the ma

f the room. People leaned in, their ey

hed her way to the front, dragging he

t at his face. "Wait... he looks familiar. I think I saw him with the hot

guests began to murmur, their faces twistin

. I know you're hurt, but hiring a broke security

uit jacket. Her chest burned with humi

l ever be," Darla said, her voice slicing through the laughte

and stormed off the stage. He marched straigh

!" Bennet spat, emboldened by his grandfathe

e temperature around him s

the distance between them in one terrifyingly fast str

yelp. He stumbled backward the moment Anson released hi

nnet. A cold, terrifyin

voice wasn't loud, but it carried a heavy, crushing

her step back. The sheer dominance

Anson shot her a single, deadpan glare. She s

orward, reaching out to grab Darla's a

n front of Darla, blocking Agnes completely. He

k to you," Anson stated,

er heart pounded, but for the first t

rnelius, leaned heavily on his silver-tipped cane.

e recognized the posture. He recognized the absolute lac

ainst the marble floor. The s

d, his voice filled with