rie silence. I shot to my feet, heart pounding, my pulse drumming in m

n he wa

What was he doing here? It took me

anderb

iv

gged me. But seeing him now, in his office. Everything just fit into place.

d with stubble, and his eyes-God, his eyes-were a storm. Fury, distrust, and something darker I couldn't place ch

couldn't move, c

lade against my skin, cutting

actured shards of my thoughts. He's alive.

pathetic and small, as

almost bought your timid peasant act, but seeing that you're here.." His steps were deliberate, measured, as

rembled under his scrutiny. "

w that works, isn't it? One minute you're gone, the next you're walking

't rumm

dangerous murmur. "Don't insult me with lies. I've seen enough of t

confusion only deepening the knot of dread t

You waltz into my life under the Vanderbilt name. And now, here you are, conveniently waiting in my off

, my voice cracking with frustration and fear. "I didn't choose to

Blame someone else. Is that what they tau

arry a corpse? You think I wanted any of this? My father is dying, and Livia used that to for

l. I could feel him dissecting every word, every tremor in my voice, we

inst the faint glow of moonlight. "Of course. She's been circling for years, she's a vulture waiting for her chance to sink her claws i

reeping into my voice. "I didn't even know you were alive un

for starters. Access to resources that people kill for. Protection from anyone

myself, but what was the point? He was right. I mean I did marry for my own motives even i

d finally, my voice hollow. "All I car

ion-doubt, maybe, or pity-but it v

et," he said, his tone unreadable, "or y

talking abou

ad given me earlier. He turned it over in his hands, his expressio

etly. "No one to

-whisper. "Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. The Vanderbilts aren't just a wealthy family

of his words pressing down

r years, feeding information to our enemies. I don't know what she promised you, but

ng with her,"

prove

uld respond, a noise echoed from somewhere in the house-a door cre

, his body tense, every muscle coile

t alone,"