efensiveness to cold recognition. He didn't move off her. If anythi

ed. The word 'Uncle' felt ridiculo

. His whisper was more terrifying than a scream. "Why is m

ating, replaced by pure adrenaline. "I have the wro

d mascara, the swollen eyes, the scent of gin clinging to her breath

wrists. He sat up and swung his legs

ing her knees to her chest, cl

is back flexed as he stretched, a roadmap of scars and power. He walked to the min

e having a very long conversation with the General Ma

y dresser. He took a long drag of his drink, his e

ving her a sudden burst of courage. She

wn," he

m before her brain did. She s

red. He stopped right in front of her. The smell of him-expensive

g," he stated. It

," she lied, look

strike her. He pulled a linen handkerchief from the pocket

square of fabric. She took

out. She hadn't

ust took another sip of his drink. "He is a fool," he

est. She stood up, wobbling slightly. "Is that it? Is that your exc

step forward, invading her personal space. He reached out and gripped her chin, forcing her to l

comparing me to Julian. Julian is a boy who breaks his toys bec

er, fear, and something else Elena refused to name. Her brea

on the door shat

na! Are you

per voice of a hotel security guard. "

Sierra found her here... if security found her here.

had left. Julian would spin it. She was the ch

whispered. "I

astian, her eyes

en back at her. He saw the terro

the walk-in cl

herself behind a row of crisp white dress shirts. Sebastian

peering through the s

was apologetic. "We had a report of a guest

" Sierra interrupted. "She

inst the doorframe, blocking the view

haps your friend went to the roof to get some air. Now, get

logies. Sierra sounded

r click

led the door open. Elena was huddled in the

nger was gone, replaced by a

Elena," he

him, careful not to touch his bare ski

for th

le

d, hand on

left

rring. It had fallen off on the pillow during the

to her. He closed

" he

ribs. She didn't look back. If she had, she would have seen Sebastian stari