oors of the est

ssive crystal chandelier spill

women in designer gowns held crystal champagne flutes

urn stepped inside,

es turned to

ners of her mouth up. She plastered on the hollow,

flush against his hip. His fingers dug possessively into the black s

ert walked

floor. She wore a dark emerald gown. Her eyes

front of them.

her gaze lingering on the da

kept her voice low, bu

d your appetite for our champagne," Marion sneered. "The Mor

into tight fists. Her fingernails dug into her

ened around Blair's w

mother. His eyes wer

h, but it carried a lethal warning. "Her family's issue

e, but she recognized the absolute authority in her son'

quickly looked away, pre

gh the crowd. They walked up

f the heavy wooden door

n pushed

rongly of antisepti

poster bed. She looked frail. Her skin was pale and

ed. She sat on the edge of the mattress.

whispered. Her

ind Blair. He placed a he

bbed Blackburn's wrist and pulled it down,

patted their

k. "I don't have much time left. I want to se

igid. Her lungs stopped wo

didn't m

ngers with Blair's. His thumb stroked the back

rn said softly. "We are working on

down at Blair. His dark eyes were filled wi

ile rising in her thr

closed her eyes and

r, they walked o

hey turned the corner, stepping into a dark al

of sight, Blackburn dropp

ck. His long fingers mindlessly rubbed the seam of his tailored trousers, as if trying to erase the ghost

reached up and rubbed

a dry, hum

her voice dripping with pure acid. "That p