s an older model Lincoln Town Car,

ark suit got out from the driver's seat. He was older, with graying hai

said. His voice wa

ly, taking in the wedding dress, the torn hem, the

nger against the armrest o

tly smoothed into a blank mas

ll do it,"

ian, then at the wheelchair. She had never helped a disabl

ow the technique

se," Jul

the brakes o

ed him again-sandalwood, expensive scotch, and something c

he said. "One

he

bone; it felt like lifting a statue. She grunted wit

ilize his weight so she wouldn't drop him. He gritted his teeth, letting out a strained groan that sounded lik

ckseat. Stella collapsed next to h

oor. The silence insid

breaking the silence as they merged onto the FDR Drive. "I assume you kn

ting a scri

cash. Henderson is paid directly by the Family Trust as a mandated 'caregive

d dress. She looked at his profile. He

t on the apartment Bryce had likely stolen. "Well, I have

t her. He raised an eye

tella said simply. "Tha

Street. It was grand, with intricate ironwork on the balcon

s-the ones she had packed for her honeym

he hallway. It

case, the chandeliers, the sofas-everything was shrouded in white l

haunted house,"

a small elevator tucked in the corner. "The guest ro

e landing, the eerie shapes of covered furniture. A shiver ran down her spin

lian said. "I have... medical nee

a hand on the handle of his wheelchair

es me right now. I don't leave partners behind, and I'm

leather creaked. He didn't want her in his space. His bedroom was h

pping to a cruel whisper. "It's not... convenie

cheeks, but she didn't back down

married you because you were the only person who d

admitted reluctantly. "

I'll respect your privacy. But I need t

d pushed him in

cked face. For the first time in

militarily neat. There was a large, hospital-grade bed with rails in the main

p," Julian lied quickly, pointing to

or me now,"

vy velvet curtains open. Moonlight flooded the ro

closed," Julian said sharply. "I

gh she found it odd. "Whate

ff the furniture in her section. Whoosh

s a tornado of energy in his dead zone. She was invading hi

tossed onto the bed, started b

reen. Then she held the power butt

grabbed a towel from the stack Henderson

en-suite bathroom

e sound of the water turning on.

the shower was running loud enoug

ands on the arm

terling

cking with relief. He walked silently to the window, his movemen

nting a spy in his house, but this stranger... she was dangerous. No