d loved were gone, replaced with a nauseating explosion of pastel pink and white. Her books, her art, her life-all of it

air about her. "Daddy said you weren't coming back," she said,

a loyal guard dog. "Have you had your fun?" he s

que vanity that had been her mother's. She pulled open t

lise. "Where is it?" she asked, her voice dan

step back. "I... I don't kn

t beneath the collar of Annelise's

d of Chloe's c

n't slap her. She didn't push her. She hooked her fingers around the deli

g her neck where a thin red

forward and grabbing Chloe's wrist. His

the locket so tightly the edges dug into her palm. "This wa

torted with rage. "After you let another man touch you? You're tainted, Ch

playing her part to perfection. "It

y sound. "Tainted? Preston, are you going to stand there and pretend you d

nerve. "That was your own mess!" he st

ncée to save your little girlfriend. You threw me into hell to save your own

is mouth opening and

s? The ones your father paid a fortune to bury? I know the reporters he paid. I know the stories. And I have their numbers right here." She smiled, a chilling, predatory ex

hade of red and white. It was his

ruel, triumphant light entered his eyes. He had found his weapon

from a brief affair years ago. He was a sweet, gentle boy, born wi

ging as he saw the fear on her face. "One word from me, and that funding is cut. Al

false concern. "He's right, sister. Do

d felt impossibly cold. The sharp edges bit into her flesh, but she

lost.

oom, down the stairs, and through the living room, her ba

she paused and look

at," she said, her voice a

e cold, leaving the stench