entley purred at the curb i

ngle, worn canvas duffel bag.

an and Chloe watching her, their contemp

, stepped out of the car and opened the rear door. "Miss

s and the shabby bag-a fraction of a se

h leather seat. The car smelled of wealth an

laude said nothing, an

s. A car accident three years ago left him paralyzed from the waist d

te unfolded. The main house was a Victorian Gothic mansion, a sprawl

s vast and cold, dominated by a gra

He led her straight up the stairs. "

llowing with open curiosity. Their whispers

, dark wood doors and knocked onc

avy velvet curtains drawn tight. The air w

ack to them. Even seated, his frame was imposi

ulian said. His voice

retreated, closi

a pressure mattress. To the side table, where pill bottles stood in neat rows. To the far

Julian asked, turning to face

s, but it was pale, and his gray eyes held a flat, di

t his legs lay too still, their position too perfect. A man who couldn't move them wouldn't keep them arran

ld. And this man, trapped in his own body, surrounded by enemies he couldn't see, was the one person in this family who might need her more than she nee

r away, but her movements were quicker, more precise. Her fingers pressed firmly

snarled, a low growl

e clusters, watching his face

than thirty seconds. She stood

rring with rage. She had compl

calmly. "The damage was

l. The air between th

sh was a cover. What's keeping you i

rious gaze wit

each word placed with