ad bare

reak of floorboards above. The cold hush of unfamiliar silence. It all kept her

no longer

twisted way, it w

air with hands that refused to steady. Her refl

t the door. Th

dressed in black slacks and a pressed white blouse. Her blonde

lerick assigned me to you. I'l

ked. "Like

flatly. "Breakfast is in fifteen m

nd. Not Don. Ju

down the hall. The house was vast and cold, its floors echoing with every step

ntered the

front of him. Two guards flanked the walls, silent. A third man, a sharp-

llerick said wit

minutes past

"In my world, three

ing the flutter in her stomach. The momen

introduced, motioning to the man. "He'

," Leora

"We'll get al

tatoes, toast, and fruit. Leora stared at the food

s coffee, watching

sleep," he s

erva

ur face gives you away. You look like a

es. "Was that suppo

e repli

throat. "Shall we

d," Alle

ects on this family. That means no phone calls to your past life, no visits unless a

"I wasn't plann

, we'll know. Your phone is bugged. Yo

t Allerick. "Yo

you?" he s

ps together. "Trus

in his chair.

grounds. The wind was sharp against her skin, but she welcomed i

eighed down her finger like iron. A

f wheels ca

her from the hallway, a

here," he said, st

ws raised. "Then

older. "Because

I was sa

. "But don't confuse

blin

't play husband. I don't care about fairy tales. There

if I

hen you'll learn why

dn't f

raid of you

shoul

t passed between them, something li

the folder?

es. A statement we'll release to

a say in a

y. "But you'll look

, the world

cial media: Don Allerick Weds Riv

tion ra

hers said revenge. Many a

new th

s how Aller

stiff, poised, unreadable. Her dress was ivory silk. His su

a mannequin,"

ke a weapon,

public obligations. Events. Appearances. Meetings w

doors, they

lurry of guards. Leora roamed the halls with Maren trailing lik

l....she

father. Free to build a life

he phon

, but it was in the library, and

ed the r

le

e, low, mal

know wher

e. "Who

cut, Leora, but your

ic

ne wen

rozen, hear

d fou

t sleep t

standing outside Allerick's

bout the call. Maybe to ask for reassura

never

away, wedding ring c