, I returned to

grand hallway, my footsteps echoing against the cold stone. I was still weak, my bo

ackyard, drawn by the rhythm

ed to a perfect eighty degrees. It had been built for me when I w

was

likely cost more than most people's cars. She saw me and smi

led out, sipping a bright oran

rning on my heel

e the key to your office. He said I'm the Lead Accountant now. He slept at my a

I didn't

ll need it when the IRS au

ps slap against the

. "But you're just a thief. This pool?

s standing dangerously close

y it," I s

aked her own fingernails down her arm, leaving t

ater with a m

she screamed, thrashing in the

. Frank and Maria Russo-my adoptive

screamed, runni

wailed, coughing up w

stion. He didn't even look a

could raise my hands, Frank's h

l whoosh. I flew backward, tumbli

m. I couldn't swim well-my asthma had never really gone away-and

for the surface. I br

hoked out.

the deck. "Look at her arm

struggle. "You want to drown my dau

urned. I kicked, fighting the

Strong arms wrapped

s. I coughed, retching up chlorinated water, clinging to hi

iately released me. My head cracked agai

ding over me, water dripping from hi

in a towel in Maria's arms, sobbing fake tears. Frank look

er," I whispered,

rrigible, Elena. Always causing drama. A

wrapped his arm around her s

ng to a lethal calm. "Touch her again, and I will for

d his ba

ia. Let's get

ing up water on the cold concrete,