e of the mansion. I told my father I needed to clear my head and went to the city's most ex

the one thing I was

tique when I heard his voice, dr

ike, darling? Pick

ay. He had his arm slung casually around her shoulders, and she was preen

me, but it was too late. Ava's eyes met mine in a large

Chloe," she said loudly

ed when he saw me. It was replaced by a dark, possessive glo

s voice tight. "Fanc

w it. The dress Ava was trying on. It was a cust

t was

gave me before she passed away two years ago. It was priceless to me, stored safely in the Reed family's p

o get them to take it out of my private collection for his new plaything. It was a

ce shaking with a rage I cou

with fake innocence. "What's wrong, Chloe? D

ing to tunnel. All the calm detachment I had built up over the past six mon

stepping in front of Ava. "It's just a piec

hispered, my voice raw.

ress flashed in my mind. Her hands, smoothing the silk. 'F

it to her. To thi

hrug. "So she can have it. Everything you have

it. The d

abbed the silk of the dress at Ava' s shou

ng backward. "Get awa

e delicate silk ripped at the seam. The

va stared down at the torn fabric, her eyes wide with sh

bitch!" she screamed, and

he impact, but

out and grabbed Ava's wris

up in s

was tall, with a quiet strength ab

Tho

but unyielding. He looked at the torn dress, then at my

ting, but he commanded the attention of the entire room. He releas

thunder. "Thorne. What do you think you'

they were filled with a concern that was so genuine i

ars I'd spent chasing Ethan, in all the pain of my past life, no one had

it over my shoulders, shielding the ruined dress and

calm demeanor a stark contrast t

" Liam said simply. "Yo

ntly. "Let's get

mes, I let someone else lead me away