dark. She reached a trembling hand for the stac

uch cool against the feverish heat of her skin. Hi

p silver ring. It was tarnished and wo

cogni

real paycheck from a summer construction job. He'd hidden it

lack, irrational rage through him. A woman who sold her soul, who sent him to hell f

e enough," Corbin said, his voice d

d as if he'd

ropping lower, colder. "And throw it in

That ring was the last tangible piece of the boy she had loved, the only thing that

. Her hand instinctively curl

iece of junk. Vance here could buy you a diamo

oice. "Corbin, that's enou

n," Corbin snapped, his

unyielding set of his jaw. There was n

lowly, painfully, she worked the ring over her knuckle. It had b

a profound sense of loss, as if

rner of the room. She opened her palm and lo

e let i

ttom, lost amongst discarded napkins and cig

than ever. There was no victory on his face, onl

is hand fro

tight grip. She didn't say a word. She just turned

on the doorknob, hi

or

ut didn't t

aid, his voice a low threat.

out into the hallway, leaving the suff

ion. Kade opened his mouth to say something, to break the spe

e he gripped the arm of the sofa. Abrupt

ithout hesitation, his hand brushing against refuse unti

, wiping it clea

the ring lying in the center of his palm. Then, his other h

't pour

e ring and the glass enclosed

s hand. Shards of glass bit deep into his flesh. Blood, dark and thick, beg

he small silver ring now nestled in a pool of his own blood in his palm. His eyes were w