e Bent

he pine ridges in

red carrying a garment bag of heavy black wool, followed b

s, Miss Benton," Greta said, layi

asn't society wear; it was executive armor. I put it on without argument, pulling my silver-

grand dining hall,

ick cut of prime steak that was seared black on the outside and bleed

om my boots to my pinned hair, lingering on the sharp collar of my blouse for

sturing to the sea

air, but I didn't touch the

chime against the porcelain. He wiped his

d your parents from the border bunker to their suburban estate on the

d. "And you're t

a

ar tightening my throat. "You sai

irk curved the co

driver," he said, rising from the table, his towering frame casting a long s

armored SUV, speeding through the mornin

n fences and perimeter cameras. As we approached the gate, twelve heavily a

l the bullbar was two inc

, hands on their holsters, bar

ger door s

stepped out into t

eak. He simply stood tall, unbuttonin

unleashed

mand. The temperature at the gate plummeted instantly, the air growing s

ct was h

ering onto the asphalt. The remaining wolves fell to their bellies, trembling violently, heads pressed i

nce. He turned to the SUV

ut, Ce

ock, and placed my hand in his. His

, passing a dozen elite wolves pinned to the

he massive mahogany doors. Two terrified doormen

to the grand

, sipping tea with cruel anticipation. Darrien stood beside her, a fresh white bandage taped across hi

the threshold, the r

Darrien stumbled back a half-step, his smirk

ed completel

of the hall as if he owned the foundation beneath their feet, led me dire

straight, hands res

eavy, possessive hand on the carved mahogany crest above my

, and laced with terrifying menace. "From this moment forward, her life

und was the frantic rattle of Beaulah's teacup aga

and resting inches from my shoulder, radiating an unyield

ent, humiliating crimson, his eyes darting w

do you think you are, bringing her into our family home?! Celeste is my fiancée! Sh

He didn't raise his voice. He simply part

ne

It was a soverei

f a concussion grenade. A shockwave of pure bi

ere ripped from the floor. He flew backward through th

collapsed into the debris, coughing violently, blood spil

dropping her cup, crawling ac

ng cold sweat. He raised both hands in a despera

cking with pure terror. "Please! He didn't know-

e Ed

ded in my skul

staring up at the man s