ce

cious but spartan, furnished with books and maps rather than the opulent decor

to the center of the li

m his chair to a low sofa. The movement was slow, deliberate, and clearly agonizin

me help." The words were

would refuse. Then, the tension seemed to drain out o

d the metal box. "You should...

he blood-soaked fabric of his shirt away from the raw wounds. The sight of his back made my

d in antiseptic. "Th

aid, his voice mu

gainst his hot skin. A jolt, that same electric spark from our first touch,

ed to focus on the task, on the clinical act of cleaning and bandaging, but I was acutely awa

n, he spoke, his vo

inclair is

tiseptic-soaked cotton

pered, my bloo

e, Eleanor's plan was set in motion long before today. Your engag

al; it was a long, drawn-out deception. My entire relationship with

age so cold and pure it fel

on the door st

a clean-shaven jaw and an expression of unwavering professionalism. He didn't so much as blink at t

ce crisp. "Everything y

Sharp, Constant

slim leather folder and several large, ele

and, without opening it, h

lap and pulled out the documents in

e and the Green family. The second was a certificate of financial independence. The third... the third was the

printed in clear, bol

im, speechless. "I... I don

ining the most obvious thing in the world. "This manor is not s

he clothes are for Grace. And Leo, notify the Pack Administra

ed, his efficiency almost unne

took to acquire a Palisades penthouse at a moment's notice. It didn

ot as Julian's uncle, not as a cripple, but

pushed himself up, ignoring the

he said, his grey eyes locking o

shiver down my spine. "Get dressed. We need to leave. There are certain legalities

statement of fact. And in that moment, surrounded by enemies and uncert