h Gilles

didn't

own the empty mountain road, engine screaming, pinning

d past the t

rabbed the handle above the door as we too

hest heaving. "Were you out there hunting for a new male

. "Yes! I'm sick of freezing in that barren annex! I'm sick of being treated like diseased m

ut I wanted to hurt him. Mo

opped over

d and shuddered. The SUV skidded across the asphalt a

rew me back. I sat there gasping, the vent

wheel. Head down. Shoulders rigid. A low growl vib

out the silver pocket watch. I needed to

the silver casing. "I wasn't looking for anyone. I was... holding onto Casimiro's m

e that had kept the Holland elders from thr

I expected him to te

the chain snapped and cut my index finger. But he didn't throw it. He didn't smash it. H

es lifted to min

"You're upset because you need something from

art s

k." I lunged

ne forearm. He held the watch up between two fin

arrying his silver heirloom throug

ty! It has nothin

ory falls under my jurisdi

slowly, deliberately, he tucked it

. Until you tel

ber's life. The only collateral I ha

slid down my cheek. "Y

ind, Everleigh? When you look at me, you don't see an Enforcer. You see Casimiro's shadow. You'

ped it away, rough. "I am no one's substitut

the first time, the fear vanished. B

y voice was deadly quiet. "Y

ooking straight int

but an arrogant, cold-blooded tyrant

hat freezing annex for the rest of my life than ever see yo

pupils c

rk crimson that flooded the whites of his eyes. T

ll. He didn'

oat moved once, swallowing

said. Flat.