Berge

ing on her lips. "Quite the fall from grace, isn't it, Elaina?" she purred, ru

and pressed the small, discreet button that activated the security camera's r

'm not here to threaten you. I'm here to... gloat." She laughed, a sound that was both ugly and triumphant. "Soo

with nothing but a tattered suitcase and a story of a tragic past. Her family was a mess of addiction and abuse, a story she told with such convincing tears that I had taken her i

, to manipulate everyone around her, including Brennan. She had played on his guilt, his desire

"But you have to understand. I was desperate. I had to get away from my family."

art these. I figured you could fill it for me. For old times' sake." She turned and

in my chair, the weight of the dual betrayal pressing down on me. I

on my desk buzzed violently. A

er was gasping for air, his face a terrifying shade of blue. And Hollie was standing by his bed, her hand on the

d, a raw, animal so

ave him. I saw the flat line on the heart monitor, heard the deafening, contin

, of hoping for a new heart that was finally schedul

surged through me. I scrambled to my feet and launched myself at Hollie,

exact moment, Brennan appeared in the

r, their petals scattering like drops of blood on the sterile white tiles. He lunged at me, grabbing my face, his fin

snarled, his face inches from mine. "She is pr

rds choked and barely intelligible

ie, who was now weeping dramatically. "And you," he said to her, his voice softening. "If you

g reminder that to him, Hollie and th

ned to leave. I couldn't be in that room

forward. "Elaina, I'm so sorry,"

threat. He leaned in and kissed the corner of my neck, a possessive, branding gesture. "I have a meeting. I'll c

throat too tight to speak

She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "There's something you should know. The heart that was matche

fainted, the last sound in my ear