pte

emi

ing at my hand beneath the bright light, turning it slowly as water dripped from my fingers into the sink. Nothing, no swel

ss my hand as if it had never happened at all, but that wasn't the worst part. The wo

arble floor, I flinched violently. It was too loud; every drop echoed through the bathroom

ator cables moving several floors below, footsteps somewhere down the hallway

g to; the phone rang again in the distance, faintly. It was coming from somewhere in the lower level of the building. I

r, and louder. The scent of rain still lingered faintly in the penthouse despite all the windows being close

peared in the middle of a gunfight, bit me like a damn animal,

hind me."You planning to sta

lk inside, loosening the sleeves of his black dress shirt. Un

as a success tonigh

barely

e knew me too well."What's up?" he as

he whiskey before answ

e Ethan barked out laughing."Gett

ile."The bi

is laughter in

hand slightl

but worse, it was controlled and focused. The way it always

s that," he said slowly, "

t? I looked toward the hallway automatically."

em clearly, and for one brief second, real worry crossed his face. Go

ck of his neck slowly. "Wa

him."Does it

ed, too fast with

ned around the

ottle and poured himself

ppening?"

"Breakfast tomorrow is

t an answe

before throwing back the

ty hummed softly outside the windows

ter than normal. He was nervous. Why? Then it was as if he kne

avily."I know a

me?" I

flared violently again, then pain shot suddenly throug

an called my na

le in my body tightened painfully, as if something beneath my skin wa

er relaxed but more alert. "Okay," he mutter

m sharply."Wha

time in my life, my brother looked unsure. Then quie