when I heard the low, aggressive r

as e

e, he hadn't bothered c

have tripped a silent alarm, or perhaps f

door swu

in, but he

esting possessively on the shoulder of a boy who lo

y

ritation. "What is this I hear about you call

irs, smoothing the fabric of my

ing about the school

her shoulder. She wore designer silks that I knew were

ux sympathy. "Tom told me you were upset. But reall

, locking eyes with her. "

t was a harsh,

And Crystal is here becaus

arasite,"

living room, ignoring

ight to the

d. It was a limited edition from New Yor

me, making de

y, he opene

ood floor and shattered

r exploded acr

ding behind the sofa,

id, his face de

was smiling. "Be careful, sweeti

even glance

ng my personal space, using

his breath a cloying mix of mints an

refusing to flinch. "Buried in th

d. He wasn't us

s fingers digging pai

abin today. And you are going to keep your mouth shut. Or I will have

ife, I would

d have

d on my arm, and then I

of me,

?" he ch

the mother of the only legiti

back, visib

he ordered. "The van

stantly softening. "Go make yourself

em walk into

ng to pick up the shards of his

baby," I

st going to

ng to pac