a was to

smelled like old money and secrets-leather, cedarwood, something faintly metallic. The air carried a c

e east wing," a vo

ned, st

t. Even in silence, he commanded the space like he owned not just th

e tremble in her voice. "Not even a

uth twitched-half am

" he said simply. "Y

stiffened.

. Just turned and

is how you operate? Keep the girl alive, kee

nly. She nearly

get one thing clear, Miss Langston. I don't play g

pled through her like thunder.

d. "So I guess we're both

of a crumbling peace. His jaw flexed. Her pulse jumped. The

e stepp

your room. Dinner is serv

ving her with her heartbeat in her throat an

ceilings, antique mirrors, silk-draped windows. But no photographs. N

just at her father for shipping her off like a fragile package,

se sh

terrifi

k table under a chandelier so

his palm. He didn't rise when she entered. His eyes flicked toward her, dr

ered, sliding into t

us-dressed greens, a wine so rich it almo

ence until the

like this?" she

't look up.

hat feels lik

luxury," he said. "And I

ffed. "You're alone. Surrounded by

ted then. Pi

hadows, Miss Langsto

landed lik

udied him. "What

He set down his fork, leaned back.

ot back. "Besides being a de

g sil

o quiet she nearly

in the world your fat

fr

three. All staged to look like accidents. The car crash. The elevat

e table, her knuckles pale

just. "Because your father is a man who

. She blinked rapidly

for this life,

protector," he said just as

at in

res trapped in a h

used beside her. For a second, just a

e said, "Good

ss Lan

Isa

look at him as

arriving, she wasn't sure if