at the blood, her e

ian," she said, her voice co

n washing over him. She would never be

ed, and began to clean the

loosely around his waist. He watched Julian on

ng," Leo said, tapping

the smell of leather and

voice a conspiratorial whisper. "I was n

polishing cloth

"Not with my background. But I knew she would hate your family for it. I knew she would make yo

like a physical blow. It

day. Sam was there, his face a mask of worry. He

Sam pleaded. "You'

a half-carved wooden bird on his desk. A gift

ved unannounced

arp with anger. "What are you doing to

oice hollow. "She'll never stop. Not while I'm alive."

anger turning to a

h. "I will endure anything if it means Elodie and the baby are safe."

fort costing him what li

when his door burst open. Caroline sto

oms," she snarled, her voice shaking. "A

roat, her nails digging into his skin. The