resence enveloped her. He sat beside her, staring straight a

d cologne and the lingering scent of antisept

rning her head to watch the Ne

of them. Al slammed on the brakes. The

e front seat, a strong arm shot out,

from the near-accident, but from the sear

es. He seemed surprised by his own reflexive act

ed. "Sit properly," he bit out, his voice col

instantly extinguished. She was a fool to think it meant anything. He

and over her belly. The small, protective gesture caught Caden

anicured lawns swept down to fountains glittering under the lights. Guest

nd ballroom. His grip was tight and cold, like

en's mother, Eleanor Moran, glided t

Adela, lingering for a moment with the cool assessment o

d politely. Eleanor gave a curt,

It was Adela's stepsister, Tiffany Buchanan, co

her voice dripping with fake surprise, "is that last season

. Heat flooded Adela's cheeks, but she kept her voice

ertainly use some refinement," she said, her voice carrying. "You have your work cut ou

His silence was its

Aunt Eleanor. It will be better when my sister Cristal gets back from

d "Cristal." It had the desired effect. A flicker

ristal is such a wonderful girl. Such a shame. If it weren't

of the family's great lie. The eyes of the other guests we

to get out. "I'm going to the po

old glance and

king on broken glass. Behind her, she heard Tiffany's t

ning over a marble sink and dry-heaving. No

thought of Caden's arm in the car, that brief, instinctual momen

or Moran walked in, a cold