't sleep t

ars, dark and sticky like poison, c

sn't vanish just because you're

p, the other clenching the edge of the blanket. The silence of Ivan's estate was deceptive. Outside, guard

pale and unfriendly. The knoc

in, her voice unusually

nce, even though she wasn't.

hing warm. "Coffee for me. Hot cocoa for you.

smile, her first

edge of the bed,

've seen a ghost,"

se," Casey whi

ows lifted.

rom him. That everything I have-this house, the c

eath. "He's playing a long

will kill him. Or get hims

or bur

e stormy, coat flying b

ere last night," he growled. "I

ensing the tension. "I'l

gone in

g. "I didn't ask him to come. I

erous. "Silas Ashcroft is a snake. If he'

he didn't break eye contact.

le

lenched. "An

he's not going to stop. He has

loser. "I don't care about your past. Yo

k. "So that's all I a

ashed. "Don't

k at me like a person. You look at me like a

between them

her, Casey. I don't want to care. But you being in danger-"

y bl

ha

the words cost him e

respond, the do

suit stepped in, fl

flashing a government ID.

d. "Now's not

about smuggling charges

blood

pol?

ire. "Give me ten minut

sey a pointed gla

, Ivan turned to h

r a while," he said softl

eath caugh

send Mirella with yo

Silas? He's goi

him try. If he touches yo

-but because she was starting to feel something in this

, he stepped closer, press

ngle silver coin etc

he murmured. "F

at him, hea

ve this

ears," Ivan said, his voice low,

Casey holding a piece of his soul, not