ghter. The name Hughes burned like acid across her v

sleep from his eyes, Julia was waiting

is?" She shoved the

lips. For once, he didn't have a witty retort

fierce. "Brandon Carter, Hughes... whatever your name is. Do

hand through his messy hai

ll me wh

Brandon's gaze darkened, his usual ar

is tone was flat, evasive. "I don't

ng it, but he wasn't confessing either.

th my rent money?" she snapped. "

answer, a sharp kno

wned. "Wh

shoulders stiffened. He stood, running a hand thro

ped inside uninvited. His presence filled the cramped apartmen

said crisply. "Yo

to a mocking smile. "Nic

linked.

mily is furious. Do you realize what you've done by disappearing

h churned. So

pretending to busy herself with dishes

"Hiding in some dingy apartment with... p

froze on th

rper than any insult she'd heard before. She bit her lip h

Julia?-she's a distraction. You don't belong in thi

throat t

ulia's chest ached. Then Brandon's

about her

breath

e's... ordinary. Disposable. You think t

worth ten of the parasites I grew up surrounded by. She do

e pressed a hand to the c

e defend me

omething-big enough to terrify him into running awa

d against the doorframe, shoulders tense. Julia avoided his gaze, her emot

hing, didn't you?

latter yourself. I don't ca

red, betraying the

He simply walked past her into the bedroom, s

nst the counter, h

as she prepared for her shift. An unfam

eed?" a smoot

es

ur application. There's an opening, and we'd l

es Corporation? She hadn't applied-she knew

ition?" she

rt. Recommended throu

ood ran co

pounding. Was this a trap? A chance? Or another wa

be pulled into a world she'