the exit. Kasey hadn't screamed. She hadn't pointed. For now, fear was

voice was low. "Kasey? Th

nelt, adjusting the collars on both children's jackets. "Remember the rules.

solemn. They'd gone

halo around them. Kasey, in an elegant cream dress, beamed-her earlier shock now buried under a celebr

y, lost their grip on the crystal ball she always carried. The glass sphe

for Caden Sterlin

reathed, but i

mbled after it, her movements

oot caught the edge of a tile. She stumbled, lurchi

re and gone. And in that same split second, she saw Kasey'

her child-a predator blurring through the space. Befor

ack from the fall. At the same time, Gisele's foot sh

ed, staggering, a graceless surprise all over her. To any

he looked up, locking eyes with Kasey. Her voice came out cold.

k in the scene, his gaze landing on Gisele. He studied her face. Smooth skin, flawless-no trace of the scars e

ing instantly to her wounded-damsel voice.

ored Kasey, setting Gia gently on her feet

e, and closed his fingers around the glass sphere. The sight of his hand-l

rl, shy and overwhelmed, hid behind Gisele

her fingertips brushed

test touch from a woman made his skin crawl-a deep, gut-level rejection he couldn't

cles. She pulled her hand back like she'd b

saw the confusion flicker across his fac

d, scooped Gia into her arms, and turned. S

aring figure. A deep frown pulled at his brow. He tu

ging his arm. "She's just some rude no

't leave the spot where Gisele had vanished. Questions we

looked at the powerful man his mother had told him to avoid, his youn