lise

er of my bedroom hammered out its

p to keep the fine tremor of adrenaline from showing. The silk dress f

against the wall with a violence that mad

a consequence his father's money couldn't erase. His jaw was clenched, his knuckles red and raw from an earlier sparring session at

of bourbon and sweat rolling off him in waves. "Don't get any clever ideas about slipping out the service entrance, Annelise. Dad has two private security g

g my breathing shallow and

yes narrowed, his chest heaving as if my calm w

ace she performed so well for audiences. She placed a delicate hand on Sean's muscul

trembling, tear-filled smile that

he silver-ribboned box. "I know those biker clubhouses don't have the things you're u

r ribbon. Then I look

r pupils, the subtle twitch at the edge of her lip. There wasn't an ounce of sis

ead flat. "Where I'm going, I

ross the mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly,

e whimpered, letting the box dro

l little cunt!

hot forward. He didn't use an open palm; he used both hands,

y right side collided violently with the sharp

crack resonated t

A hairline fissure I had sustained three days ago during my father's initial "persuasion" session snapped entirely under the

hattered side, my fingernails tearing through

ion. "That's just a preview of what King Watkins is going to do

struggle for air, her lips curv

groan. I didn't scream. I forced my watering eyes open, staring up through the strands of

y sharpening my focus until the world turned

The elderly butler stood there, his eyes stud

forced neutrality. "The Iron Wraiths have just passed through t