aving Chloe gasping for air, curled in the corner of the seat l

adn't just shattered what was left of her world. He looked at

Nathaniel's name flashed on the screen. Clayton answe

and oblivious. "Hillary and I were just finalizing the guest list. T

e's heart. Her stepsister. The girl who had made her

so casually, was a poisoned dagger twisting in a wound she didn't

in on her face. A flicker of something else-i

d into the phone, his gaze never l

t's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with mock sym

bit out, the words raw. "An

s a waste of time," Clayton said, and f

r. "You've been having me investigated, haven't you?" A sudden, chillin

his voice dropping. "For example, I know your stepmother, Annette, had a difficult pregnancy. I know

ret, whispered behind closed doors

l incision. "I also know that when your mother's car went off that bridge, the brake

t was a tragic accident, a result of icy roads. The thought that it could have

d, the words barely audible

erate. "I need you to stay close to me. In return, I will make sure the people who hurt you face the

catch. "Help me?" she echoed, her voice dripping with dis

ening, "is offer you something no one el

s?" she demanded. "Men like you

flickered in his storm-gray eyes, gone before she c

n't explain," s

o know is that you need protection and resources you don't have. I can give

od and defeat filling her mouth. "And i

e. Your loyalty. Your time. You stay at my side for as long as I n

a hot path down her cold cheek. This was a deal with the d

. for the truth... s

ld and hard as his. "Fine," she said, her voice a d

O

speak of Nathan