as an imposing fortress of

lawns, and an air of

on town car, Chloe a silent,

ion' s den. Sh

aiting inside, surr

yer was cool, almost co

very move. Staff, s

f from a small group ne

. Ava recognize

ful, and utterly

her connection to Marcus was both p

a had been a constant, smil

s silk, but with an undercurrent Ava didn' t miss.

reach her eyes. They wer

te, cool nod. "Ser

feign friendship. This wa

red at the top of t

g power and a predatory char

lowly, his gaz

man appraising a new,

stare withou

his hands on Eleanor, the b

the oud cologne

elf? Or one of his

eached the bottom step. He extended a hand. "I w

in his. His grip w

plied, her voice light, almost playful, bu

htly, a flicker of sur

ting on it

ed with unspok

ne inner circle watch

ce' s smile h

t the first move in a

was