violent that the empty liquor bo

clenched tight. She set her glass d

, shaking her head. "

head. "I can't hid

d the cold metal doorknob.

oved it inward. The impact pushed Charlotte back

into the living room. His fa

he moment she crossed the threshold, she pointed

lips. "Bradly just called off the wedding! He pulled the Medina

gh. "I am not a piece of inventory

ike a physical blow. H

ck hand high in the air, aiming a

abbed the back of Charlotte's

tum threw him off balance, and he stumbled forwar

glass ashtray sitting on the table. He raised i

er boots planted firmly. "Throw that a

rabbed a handful of Jorja's hair and yanke

ked, a surge of pure adrenal

d Brenda's wrist with both hands

hair. Charlotte shoved her mother backward. Br

ce between them. She reached into her

the speaker button. She

he dispatcher's calm voice echoe

went de

ay, hovered in the air. The rage in his eyes f

id of any emotion. She recited her address clearly. "I have two

s are five minutes away,

the red button an

. Her eyes were like ice. "Get out. If you ever com

sbelief. "You ungrateful li

and pulled it wide open. She pointed a

rhood did not mess around. He weighed

shtray onto the rug

tte. "You are going to regret this.

arm and dragged her

heir footsteps fade

ked, her knees buckled. She slid down the wooden door, he

led Charlotte into a tight hug, checking her a

ad slowly. "I'm fine.

h her breath, her pho

read: St. Jude

. She snatched the phone

the speaker. "You need to come right now. Eleanor's vitals

e floor. The blood draine

ad suddenly darkened to an unnatural, bruised purple. A jagged flash of lightning tore across the ho