for me. "Of course. Will y

rn from their trip in the morni

rfe

"I want Samantha

at me, but quickly co

let's keep it between us. It's meant to be a

cited sparkle returns to her

trol, but then I catch their gaze, and the blood rushes through me too strongly. My mask

my pockets, I manage to wi

me, I expected it because she glimpsed the

appear into the crowd. Everything is too loud, too crowded. A dr

en a hand grabs my

mo

r than to touch others,

quickly-and swat a

t of him. "Sorry, budd

ting for him to make the first mov

t you. Surely you understand. You know our parents care abou

does he know about his sister's involvement in my downfall? Like he said, public image is a top priority for most pe

reply, and I'm grateful he didn't r

ist. "Yeah,

e bumps his crumpled hand against m

a about the little snitch in his family, I doubt he'll want to

ome, you

nd pats him on the back. "What a nice welcome!" he insists on "nice," like the tr

om the impact of Robin's paw

"Alexander, meet Robin Donell. R

e physique, or if he simply wants to provoke him. Nothing is ever certain with Robin. But he's one of the best guys I've ever met and has been my constant companion over the past few

unscathed. There were times when I wanted to shed blood, both my own and others'. Especially at t

lete betrayal, but also

h of my

ck from Robin and nods at

d. "

gure walk away until he

g with his tail between his legs. I

looked in the mirror lately? I

to his chest.

head at h

staying? I saw some girls watching me." He flexes his biceps as

e. "I'm

company, walks past me, and our eyes meet. He

reat friend of mine. Your father is a cunning man, and he's ruining the company your grandfather spent most of hi

'm already there. In fact, I'

ke care then. A lot of

the old man as he

hat was tha

ke so many others, when the stock price plummeted afte

father's business isn't

he pretentious crowd chatting away

ake me long

oints across the hall to the other side of the room. Jake rubs her lower back in small circular motions, and she

d presses aga

Robin's arm hol

you any good to make a fuss right now. You'll have

ension washes over my body, bu

r, holding me tightly. "Let's get ou

d over and over again, and it's the onl

hold her in your