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