clear on my screen,

will never see him again"

. And whoever sent it wasn't bluffing. He knew where I lived. He was

er a stack of books on my desk. I couldn't reply.

everything fe

g nothing had happened, or they were both downstairs, waiting fo

I didn't know if

ow up and take me far away from all of this, that my parents would suddenly re

ew be

move out somewhere, even if it was only for a few hours. There, I would think, get rid of this thing th

birthday. Inside was a fragile gold bracelet with our initials carved on it. But I hadn't worn it since we foug

was the last time I'd see him, then I needed to say goodbye pl

d that sank into your bones and made everything ache just a little more. The university was only a few blocks from Clint

re no bl

ing me now. Or maybe the

t, I knocked twice and the

ed. But before I could respond to his questions, he pulled me close to himself and gave me a tight hug. Like he was afraid I might vanish if

up at him. "We need to ha

melled like coffee and pine, which is his favorite candle. My eyes scanned the living room. The same worn co

closing the door behind us. "Is

ded s

are... marry

id, and watched the bl

ward. "That can't be rea

, Clinton. They signed

osed tight. "So that's it

ed. "Do you think I'm okay with bei

r. "Then come with me. Right

I said quietly, almost to m

ze. "W

. " I think he is the one sending threatening mess

ed. "Let him come. I'

ld be," I

hoodie pocket, unlocked it an

. His face changed. Confused a

not a hostage, Seraphina. You're

the richest mafia-bred family i

There has to be another w

tion. There's a media rollout coming next week.

me, eyes burning.

hesitat

n away w

that black SUV and the life-threatening message? The more I thought about i

softly, tears roll

face. "You're stronger than this.

oft his mouth felt, how warm his eyes were and how peaceful

ee you," I said sof

ot enough

ng away before I changed my mind,

his hands. But I could fee

standing in the walkway, waiting.

ou been?" she

," I

fitting schedule

. "I'll choose som

, Seraphina. You're being introduced to the Vale fam

. "So I can look pre

dn't r

m, which now felt like a mini prison. I sank onto the b

ed. I glanced

wn Nu

sn't matter. Tomorrow, you meet your fia

The world went still, and

beneath i

Cli

utside his

ed by

as glowing

e buzze

er: blink, a