suring, "Don't be scared. The best way

flooding bac

, Eliana had grown volatile, las

, she kicked, bit, and smas

her rage ebbed, he spoke with careful gentleness, "Eliana, the best way to dea

shot through h

th the memory, "Don't be

na's nail, the pain so sha

er lover smiled, coaxing her on, "T

r fingers, her knuckles b

en took Vivian's hand and forced open her fingers o

ucien's voice, flat and cold, "Keep

e, never seeing Vivian turn back

anishing soundlessly into the stagn

..

you're fi

rowded anxiously around Lucien, shoving one

is impatience pla

out, "The hacker has breached every one of Lane

on the table, "That's impossible! Didn't we fig

stered, "Lucien, som

secrets has gone viral online, an

their screens flashing over and over with g

n forward, "Relax-we

an grabbing his last straw, "Hurry, stop it! O

ered the shutdown key a few time

own, sobbing, "Stop pushing me! I

r and slumped to th

and messages from the board and s

ndled thanks to someone named Regno... She held the line alone for t

eyes, "Then get her here. Whatever she

rts didn't m

n't even kno

n't kno

ready to lose his

ises like that if you don't know her?

broke off

snowy night. O

e the image of a gir

r attention, the corners of her lips still

e favor. So, how are

ear it," he teased,

ering under his breath, "Imposs

ever been the pamper

on erupte

drenched in blood, like a demo

limp at her side, the other flying acr

ises were already celebrating

charm's so great even the cripp

in annoyance,

arse, as if he wanted to s

nna help me. When this is over, I

is phone, "Mr. Lane, w

d beneath a flood

d completely. Lane Ent

embling, just in time to c

After all... I ne

nt rushed in, face alight with excitement, "It's