mes, but beneath this sudden, razor-sharp scrutiny, K

cleared it with a quiet cough, and forced her eyes down from his intense gaz

red. She couldn't help herself; lifting a finger, she poi

to set an example for the younger generation. This is a

cylinder of tobacco, rotated it slowly between

sonant rumble de

she wasn't blind; she could recognize lethal authority when it stood in front of her. The man before her was polished

tanding here any longer w

n between my ex and Camren, and I will settle the hospital invoice. But given my position as his instructor, any direct counseli

p backward, prepari

ou suggest I communicate

narrowed his dark eyes through the thin gray veil of sm

..I believe you should address the issue at its root. At his age, his energy

s infatu

tional, but the words pressed down with the weight

s brow

ly, his dark gaze pinning hers with relentless precision. "You menti

e breath catchi

r years ago,

nd herself completely cornere

hools and tutors across Europe, returning to New York only last year. Raised in circles where privilege is taken for granted, he was taught that whatever he desires should simply be handed to

e slight tremor in her hands befor

rror developing in his path... is to step in

omposure, wrapped in silk. Yet Keira he

ng was un

Camren from pursuing her, because that would validate the boy's re

mren's orbit. He was going to strip h

r voices. They never had to brandish their wealth or issue vulgar threats. With a few polished,

flared behind Keira's ribs, burnin

into a clear, rigid register. "Are you sugg

, his expression an unreada

answer you plainly," Keira continued, her chin lif

ered in the depths of Augustin's

well aware that Camren is an indulged scion of the Durham family, and his reckless disregard for boundaries is the direct consequence of

th absolute finality

is power might bring down upon her. She turned sharply on her heel, m

on for the ground floor, and spun around to face the hall, meeting

by the second-floor window, the unlit cigarette resting betwe