craper. Dante carried the still-unconscious Chloe from the car, bypassin

da Tucker, his housekeeper. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sight of

hall I

guest room," Dante commanded, his voice clipped and cold

the duvet over her. Her brow was furrowed even in slee

l report. Everything that has happened to Chloe Beaumont since the gala last night. I want every second

self, wringing it out before gently wiping Chloe's face and her cold hands. When his thumb brushed over the deep, c

on. An encrypted file had arrived. Dante walked into the living room and

g from the doorway. The second was from the townhouse staircase. It captured the entire sequence: Clio's taunts, the struggle, and the lock

blet tightened-knuckles white, jaw set. He didn't blink. He knew what that locket meant to

ound the black beads on his wrist and began to turn them-one, two, three-a slow rhythm that did nothing to sl

e stood and walked quickly back to the guest room. Chloe was awake, stari

oftened with a tenderness he showed no one else.

's voice was a r

upted gently. He brought the ginger tea Brenda had prepared and,

ding through her chilled body. "Thank yo

His voice was low. He held her gaze and didn't look away. "You don't have to be afrai

lter from everything-the tears Chloe had bee