e a slap. He squinted, his head still throbbing from the accident, and he leaned hea

d, her voice soft and sweet. "I was so wo

rious. "Belinda," he said, his voice rough. "I don't

ety rope, his lips brushing against her temple as

by, you're being so dramatic." She leaned into his touch, her eyes fl

er leaving you,"

the room just in t

lose, so perfect, shattered something deep inside her. Her finger

what was wrong with him, and

er f

e continued caressing Belinda, h

re, frozen, he

erally ign

plet

ugh her was white-hot, consum

ver a

he way he didn't even gl

shoving them into a suitcase. Every second Adrian spent doting on

with Emily's things, especially her favorite stuffed bunny, her clothes, her tiny shoes.

herself, zipping up the bag. I

still

She didn't care if Adrian hated her, but he had loved

had no

dy. As she passed Adrian's bedroom

.. what if s

da's

her grip tightening aro

using to acknowledge

.

t asleep when

o peaceful. So unaware. Kissing her forehead, she lingered ther

you, swe

slightly but

, but instead of heading to bed, sh

s, knives, guns, batons, even a

e would use

a dagger before she sele

threatened h

ing to fin

exactly whe

y. She had found him sitting in a corner booth, a glass of whiskey in hi

voice wary. "What a

f the booth, slamming him against the wall. The other patrons didn't e

in th

.

lled of rust, swe

r than her, stronger th

, landing a sharp elbow to his

gone, Lena," he spat

er sent those thre

mmed his head into a metal table, twisting

him, pulling a kn

ll me why you came

. "Daughter? What the hel

the blade t

ing lie to

any threats. I didn't even know y

hen released him with a shove. "

darting. "I ain't lying.. Bu

ho

hard. "You're not

rrowed

y m