driveway. I could have driven right up to the main entrance, but

ions were al

he oversized front door. I hated that the security system recognized my fa

cigars and polish and something e

n had bought to impress people. My heart beat fast but I forced my breathing

he moment

s long, rough hair fell over his sharp cheekbones, framing those obsidian

by the window, giving me that

unner, her flawless beauty and sleek

sounded smooth, but the

ic," I

looked up t

t in the chair across from him. I kept my back

er palm came up and hit my cheek. It stung, sharp and bright. Before I could gather myself she slapped t

ow?" I said, m

s softer. Soft was worse. "Do yo

attention

without permission, for your own

ou in Hates Corps. I put you where

o my palms. "It wo

ok deeper. You made him suspicious. You are a tool, C

not y

e rising for the first time. "Or have you forgotten o

. How could I ever forget the ni

N

us softness again. "Because I see so much hate in your eyes,

ing cheek, almost tender. "But without me, you'd have nothing. You'd be rotting in prison. And if you ever f

"Leave Maya and E

k, clearly satisfied. "I'll contact

emed almost sympathetic, but I knew better. That

ith my chin high. I didn't give them my tears, didn't

Ronan, at Miss Grey, at my own weakness, and mostly at Luci

destroy, no matt

-

g at the peeling paint on our ceiling, wishing the

, curled up on the couch where I had c

said, tossing me a clean

weak smile

I wiped last night's makeup from my face,

u like this," Maya said over the vacuu

rilliant ideas

on the vacuum handl

hanged confused glances. We never got

k black box tied with a silver ribbon. "What

aper, was the most gorgeous

ya whispered. "

card or a note, b

stake," I muttered,

Elvis, my supervisor. I hadn't heard from him since I w

g, it was more likely he had a job for

ering gigs on weekends. Some were decent

the dress, and a car will come for you at 6. You