d shut, sealing them in a s

fearful wreck of what it had been moments before. "Mr. Grif

ion flat and cold. "Do I need

er last resort. "She's not worthy of you! She's a manipulative

malice. "You think you can escape me by latching

tighter around herself. She lowered her head, lettin

n?" he cut in, his voice dangerously soft.

ath caught i

her daughter has potentially been assaulted, is not to call the police, not to offer comfort, but to bring report

ly truth beneath her maternal act. Ivette wa

mall under the weight of Ivette's cruelty, contrasted so sharply with the viciousness of her accuser. He didn't need to know her story to s

ind of torment. The girl trembling under his jacket was a victim

girl with her head bowed, and his expre

. He was going to have this gir

or argument. "From this day forward, Alexandrea is my

met his eyes. They were completely devoid of emotion, as cold and final as

ful glare before turning and fleei

ey were

as different. It was heav

her head. Her eyes, red-

" she asked, her voice barely a w

wn, bringing himself to her eye level. The unexpe

hers. "I want exactly what I said," he stated, hi

sal. It was a dec

-