nor

a stranger's hotel room. It was beautiful, but it had never held any

he essentials. A few changes of clothes. My laptop

they were all things the Campbells had given m

in, her face frantic. The earlier scorn w

rm. Her nails dug into my skin. "Marry Alaric Charle

ce flat. "Isn't that what you wanted?

her. "You're just doing this to g

nd final and sharp in the quiet roo

aiting in the hallway,

said, his face dark with anger. "As your

him off, my voice like ic

m and started down the

y path. His expression was a pathet

arm. "Don't do this just to spite me. I know yo

t, the most ridiculous

into his face. "Fix this? Ewing, you didn't mi

r the venom in my words. "Do you honestly believe Alaric C

new Alaric's reputation. He knew the man'

ast him to Kayla, who was watching us from the top of the

isterly affection. "Don't look so angry

The trash I threw out? You get to keep it. I

h. I saw the flash of humiliation in Ewing's eyes, t

he stairs, one deliberate step at a time, the sound o

f rage and disbelief from Warren and Martha.

e front door. The cool night a

curb, its headlights cutting thr

ck one last time at the gilded cage tha

sadness, no nosta

into the night, an