, his smile never wavering. As they walked the short block to the upscale Italian restaurant,

oiled tight since she saw the news report, began to loosen. This man was charismatic

ury. A maître d' led them to a secluded table by t

u to her. "Please, or

o ignore the gnawing emptiness in her stomach, when a

look

lood turn

a delicate vine, was Kinley Mullen. She was dressed in a simple white dress, her

er face alight with malicio

theatrical shock. She immediately tugged on Eligah's sleev

snapped in t

ng across from her. He saw Felipe Bonner leaning forward, hi

lized mask dissolved, revealing the raw, possessive predator be

re, unadulterated venom crossed her face before bein

ing them. A slow, deliberate smile spread across h

g across the quiet restaurant. "What a coi

miliar in this public setting between two f

ril, burning with an accusatory fire. He looked like a l

their table. The air grew thick with unspoken t

ce low and urgent. "Perhaps we

ent. He gestured vaguely toward Eligah's party.

ted walking

erly, like a spectator rushing to a ringside seat. Kinley made a show of try

e, we just cam

off without l

table, casting April in his shadow. The e

feel the waves of fury rolling off him. And she could see the cool, calcula

almly picked up his napkin and da

e, mocking smile, like a man settling in to watch the open