to reassemble the scattered pieces of her plan

he screen glowed with

and swiped

swering the house phone?" Hank's voice crackled

he replied cool

f your mother's... Never mind." He seemed to catch himself. "You g

response, the phone wa

is waist, his hair still dripping. He held her phone and,

he quiet room. "Alyssa? Are you listening to me?

es. He held the phone to his mouth. "She won't be coming home

t. Hank was clearly stun

he stammered, his vo

r to answer. He si

e her. "Control your family," he said, his

ain, he had shielded her from the Saunders' pressure. But was it to protect

u," she s

back the covers on the other

huffled toward the edge of the mattress, trying

round her waist, and he hauled her back against him,

red, his voice thick w

rmth, his heartbeat a steady, po

s was the first time they had shar

nt of his soap mixed with his own un

s a means to an end. This was part of the deal. Gettin

o listen to reason. It

more than sleep. His breathing soo

at the glittering tapestry of the New Yo

n Kirk Enterprises, on the justice s

pt drifting back to

tion to her birthmark. And now, this almost childishly possessive need

is chest, she finally felt a wave of drowsiness. Just before s

't just a too