h Gilles

awkward grimace before she forced a delicate laugh.

dripping with thinly veiled

shopping bag from the trembling hands of the store clerk, holdi

the screen, her brow furrowing with slight annoyance. "It's my father. The Council elders a

, rising from the velvet s

!" Aurora offered him a sweet smile, pointedly ignored me, and

rs closed behind her, the atmo

s he strode out toward the curb where h

opping bag like a shield. "I can take t

he vehicle. His gray eyes were flat, lethal, and entirely devoid of patien

I swallowed my pride, walked around the hood, and climbed into the passenger seat. I shut the heavy door

dproofing sealed us into a suffocating, isolated bubble. His signature scent-frost, ceda

ing the heavy SUV seamlessl

the city skyline giving way to the winding, forested ro

f the ridge, the traffic light turned crim

ep his eyes

his entire upper body across the center cons

ne flat against the leather seat, clutching the sh

ould see the dark flecks of slate in his gray irises, could feel the heat radiat

very nerve ending in my body scream with a chaotic mix of terror

whispered, his voice dark,

ing to cower. "I have basic survival inst

loused fingers gripping my jawline, forcing my face toward his. "Last night in my quarters, you

d and slapped his wrist away with everything I had. "I

t between my sheets?" Damon's tone turned ice-cold as he caught my wrist i

ur sheets!" I spat, my vo

why were you lingering outside the café today? Why did you conveniently throw yourself in front

fingers didn't budge a millimeter. "I was on my way

rloom? What's the matter, Everleigh? Is the Holland widow growing impatient with her cold

ipping with contempt, that it sna

my voice trembling with murde