idiculous, Izzy. He prov

ords were

einforced by Senator Hayes's private detail

ssionals, quick

rative, could have resisted

resistance would only make things worse, play

ke his arms, a grim a

er, her face cont

han. Loyalty and discipline. Or have

e, the very honor he cherish

hat tonight. Only brute

o a police station. Th

ted to a back room, s

and brutal. Not a formal be

rity men, their faces i

ach. Not enough to break bones, but enough

ard, tasting blood,

give them the

, on the cold anger that wa

or a moment, h

omething – hesitatio

d suddenly. The

ow leaning against a wall, his

e to Julian. Say it was your fault, yo

ercy, but laced with the deman

his own eyes blazi

g my family's honor, or for reacti

m. "He destroyed that map o

ovel. Not to he

compassion vanished, re

are a fool, Ethan. A s

"Continue. Perhaps more pa

sumed, harde

he world narrowing to the

blinding flash through his vision,

consci

s own apartmen

was there, his face etc

father, now ran a small veteran support NPO. He was Ethan

ith me?" Mac's gru

le screaming. His ribs fe

what h

y had their thugs work you over. Then the

is touch surprisingly gen

on, are you fit for t

dismissively, a sharp pai

Mac. Just need t

t he wouldn't let this sto

rned Ethan about Vance' s manipulative nature, about Izzy'

n the door star

ed it ca

od there, her expr

of cold anger. Wh

ally in front of

do you want? Haven

o days, to a warzone. For this country. Or

ow, simmering wit

lf up straighter,

looked directly at Izzy.

he room, holding a

map," she said, her voice flat. "

bal balm. Very effective for... bruises a

it on the c

u'll recover quickly. And that you'll understand... i

t was a warning, wrappe

king sure Ethan would

leave, pausi

well," she said, a strange note

the room

ed at the

nough not to cause a scandal before he left, and to e

ion, of her choice, settled i

for her, no emotion b

to Mac. "You know more about these th

to focus

sleek envelope was d

on. From Ju

a small, informal gathering tomorrow night. A farewell, of s

hook, the use of her author

chance for Julian to gloat, for I

rge of defiance

elp him pack and tend to his

s town. Don't give them another excuse. Go,

ew Mac was right. He

a trendy, exclusive l

ispleased, to see him. Clearly, the "

"Ethan! So glad you could make

erie, his eyes gli

ered word from Juli

oss the small, intimate crowd of Vance' s admirers

dismissive. A public declar

sive, lifting his glass i

host at th

engaged in overt di

m around her waist, whisper

highlight their bond, and, Ethan s

ng nothing but a

eir triumph, a symbol of

de his excuses an

of Julian's associates, large men

Hayes would like ano

where Izzy and Julian stood, a

an incident. A supposed 'attack' on my car as I wa

.. he thinks you might have orchestrated it. A foolish attempt to s

her, dumbfounded