reath, filling her lungs with the damp, freezing air. She

doors sw

ier in the grand foyer poured out, stabbing into he

g blasted freezing air down on her. Her soaked clothes clun

sk of pure disdain. He didn't offer a greeting. He didn't offer a towel. He si

y the door. She stepped onto the thick, hand-woven Per

uelching sound with every step. She walked down t

the heavy, black doubl

s rapped twice against the solid

t i

oor. It was low, raspy, and comp

ob and pushed the door open. She step

key and rich cigar smoke. Ebert stood with his

The sheer physical dominance of his presence hit Elie like

liquid in his right hand. His deep, dark eyes locked onto her.

her soaked, cheap grey sweater and her dripping jeans.

l glass down onto the

the silence. Elie's shou

e picked up a sleek, black desi

right at Elie's feet

et. It was an evening gown. It had barely any fabric

d. His tone was laced with

ce of red silk made the blood drain entirely from her face. Her

d up. Her voice sh

e?" she asked, making one last,

rides. His expensive leather shoes made no sound on the

lamped down hard, his fingers digging into her skin,

s," Ebert ground out through clenc

ornly refused to let them fall. She jerked her

ed a dark, violent s

he collar of her wet, grey sweater.

collar of her sweater ripped open, exposing her pa

lie let out a sharp gasp. She instinctively crosse

Her back hit the hard oak door of th

ng form. A twisted sense of satisfaction, mixed w

dress on," Ebert stated coldly. "O