inn

y a word. He d

ply po

ingle, dark stain. It was no bigger than a quarter,

oo

ously planned deception, my life itself, h

Cael's, a silent confirma

th his index finger. It was dry, flaking slightly. He straightened up, his face a mask

rously soft. "I think this is going to requir

ing his chance, lunged for me. "You l

f. A nosebleed. It's old. All of them were flimsy, pathetic lies

ould touch me, Cael raised a ha

"I'm going to give you one las

y ribs. Truth was not an option. So I

l Webster, my steps steady even though my legs felt like water. He watched m

m, so close I could see the faint stubble on his jaw. I le

whis

y for his ear. I pitched it with just the right amount o

words."This is m

The cold certainty in his eyes shattered, replaced first by utter shock, then

ary step back, putt

ightly agape, utterly bewildered by th

returning, but the sharp, predatory e

at his men. "We're leaving.

ulous. "But, bos

d, his voice tight with an emotion I coul

to his face. It didn't quite reach his eyes this time. "My apologie

strode out of the cabin. His men, looki

the engines roaring to life. I didn't move until the rumble had completel

knees

ead in my hands. A cold sweat drenched my body. I had stared into the

my menstr

, so mortifyingly private, that no man with a

hat Cael Webster was not a man who liked being made

I grabbed my canvas bag, threw the door open, and walk

s. I had to get to my br