Owens

against the marble floor with a sharp, piercing shri

ance, Preston remained expressionless, and Christian... hi

the room. "You're right. I did get a cat. Because at least the cat doesn't ma

k you for the meal and for the clarity, Mrs. Carlisle. I final

walked away. I could feel Christian's

he heels of my shoes clacking against the

cating place, to escape the looks

r, I heard Christian's voi

idn

mping down on my wrist. His palm was hot, his gr

oice low and strained. "You can't just

pun around, glaring at him with all

with. You think I'm just going to sit there and take it because your name is on my tuition check? I'm done

k in that cold armor. "That's not what I-"

eant? It doesn't matter what you meant. It matters what you said. An

him. I turned, pulled open the heavy

iting by the car. He looked su

rtment," I commanded, sl

apartment was rush to my bedroom and drag a d

d used when I moved in

hings that were truly mine, things that had n

clothes I'd bought with my own mon

g room table. The 13 hockey jacket, a few pieces of expensive jewelry

e sat quietly at my feet, rubbing his

ace in his warm, soft fur. I

the Carlisle family's "charity" to finish my

ugh. It was mo

my eyes hardening

this apartment, but th

e, about to call Jo

tment door opened.

f the living room, then to the pile of his b