frame with a lazy smile t

in-law. We need a

on the handle. Her palms

you wan

drifted over her face and lower, searching for cracks. "You

n't hu

d in, close enough for his cologne to tu

ty. No Alexandra. No

the door open.

hall but left the do

and each other. My brother is a machine. Cold. He

my pr

tly. "And your body is my business if it becom

e in her mind. "You don't let cowards d

as clever as

happens when the wrong picture leaks. The press

ov

Meet me by the winter garden in ten minutes. We'll take a

won

cheek. "You will. Or I'll start a rumor

fear. D

ith you," she said. "If y

ly people who wish they were." He brushed her shoulder with tw

histling. The sound

hed with the count of her mother's old trick-four in, four hold, four out-unt

re not

e with folded towels and watchful

a said. "Bu

want me

es

. Selena told her what Brian said-no drama

Alexandra said. "Blind spots. The

ose it o

," Selena said. "

I get Mr

d them at breakfast. He'll handl

a said. "If it g

lready," Alexandra murmur

long," Selena said. Her stoma

e be c

wil

-

oney. Manicured trees reached for the high ceili

n his pockets, dressed like a pho

paces away. "Say wh

a shaded bench near the blind corner. "Sit. Smile. If anyone

trangers in the same house because your b

er. The fountain's h

nd. Don't

in a palace and promise yourself you'll keep your head. The

t in her chest, but her words stayed

l. He reache

touched her. Strong and pale. A

my wife," J

es were colder than the fountain. He stood between t

ph didn't move. He leaned in,

with blind corners. You will not use her to bait me. You will not come within five meters when staff aren't present.

"You can't ban

tch

?" he said, trying for light and failing. "You sure you

seph didn't glance her way

myself," he said. "I don'

ith a thin laugh. "Fine. I'll be a gentleman. For now." He slid his g

Brian lost sight

ise of trouble, then turned the corner, hands in p

was out of sight. Then

meet him al

. She heard the defensive edge an

," Jose

owned.

nk," he said. "And I don't

ween them was thin glass. The panic in her

you," s

f," he said. "You do

atters. How

s mouth. "I told yo

e I'm a resp

said. "And s

ha

he path Brian took. "If he bother

have your

his phone. "

essage buzzed on

t felt t

with Alexandra for an hour. I have a

hy

" he said. Then, aware o

ride. But she remembered th

don't let them see you

food,"

oo

oor. Quiet. No scene. Br

-

hank God he came. Mr Joseph hates public scenes

Selena said. "He hi

d and took out her phone. "There's something I s

white pill bottle. The label was partly pe

roner's note. The same compound

?" she

"She keeps a tray of supplements. The batch

said. "Don't touch anything. Don't m

ded, eyes wid

lena said. But I do th

s phone

c room. Fift

"If Brian knocks, don't

xandra said.

-

a black piano. Joseph stood beside it with his jacket o

the winter garden.

turntable. Warm strings filled

play well

t belie

ck crossed his face and vani

side so they could breathe. His hands were sure, not showy. Selena t

permission. The knot in h

when you don't want

es

wo

etim

at night with only the right amount of fea

you," s

owe me than

like sa

, but close. "Eat with me tonight," h

sharp eyes made her skin tighte

she said

message. "Ei

t her for a long second. Intent,

gain," he said, "tell me.

e treated

kno

o you know anything about t

e glanced at the scre

it?" sh

wait," he said. "I'l

eft it. Not my busine

-

window. Roast chicken, greens, rice. No staff hovering

mn, the park she loved as a child, the first book that convinced him he needed power to survive. No

u said I'm simple. No drama. Tha

you don't like power," he said. "You only use it wh

like

ifferent." He looked at the dar

re a man with walls a

ight," she said. "

. I'll have Security es

an w

said. "I'd rat

"Goodnigh

ight,

-

ce. She thanked them and went in. On the bedside table: a small

put on a robe, and sat on the

. "I don't know if I'm doin

hone

Are yo

n itself. She typed,

fine. I ca

sed, stopped a

u need me,

ed the phone and put it face

ame in

-

e the lights flickered, a woman sat at a small desk wit

the clear liquid catch it. She tapped her p

wn: T

Make sure he drinks.

ver spoon, lifted it, and smiled

s, Joseph,"