ock, Shawn emerged f

ghtly in his palm. Their conversation history looked painfully one-sid

w hard

r shut him out b

text, apologize, and smooth things over before he even

ce had stretched on fo

s before the connection abruptly cut off. When he dialed on

onto the sheets and roughly pulled at the neckline o

room, intending to change cl

ays wore around the house, faded jeans and soft white shirts

welry he had ever purchased for her: bracelets, rings, earrings, neckl

only what be

ettled over him at once. M

nstantly, swallowed by

en the call connected, his tone came out sharp

's no sign of her anywhere. She hasn't booked a hotel, rented a place, or used an

he needs somewhere to stay and something to eat. People do

esident." Th

.

ide the small bungalow that had once belon

ng furniture, its lone window overlo

with the sound muted. The display kept glo

ed at it

sages had shifted from impatience to authority

rned the phone over again an

her because he cared. What he wanted back was her devoti

eave the house. She needed work

side, she froze. Steady fo

f men app

two straight lines of bodyguar

standing motionless with military discipline. Toget

nter stoo

ied sharp, striking features, while his eyes held an intimidating chi

sappeared from his expression. Concern and

trembled faintly, as though emotion was

ed blankly.

es locked, something stirred inside her chest. It was not anxiety or f

ur older brother. I came to brin

ace. Brother? Her real fam

nt reached into his coat po

tly like the one hang

ed letter "R" dec

gers shook un

emotion tightened pain

ou were five years old, you disappeared. Mom a

Melanie's eye

the distance between them and

ed and every wall she had painsta

lessly inside her mind.

g soothingly along her back. "You're safe

e the final barrier h

aped her

through broken breaths, "I have parents..

we stay together as a family," Vincent promised. A dangerous edge entered his expression aft

ke, the colder

very trace of gentleness

suddenly become her brother, emotions c

ced in her memory. One day, she

pected that day to

aid softly, testin

h him. He answered only with a

him before she finally voiced the question lingering

mouth, dangerous and unreadab

ed shout exploded from behind them