st the narrow window of th

top chimed twice through its closed lid. Flipping it back open, she saw

the channel, and Julian's te

e only made Flint Knight more aggr

the last few minutes, Flint Knight deployed private security units across every private a

en chair, pressing two slender

raight hours without sleep, synthesizing a complex neuro-compound and upgrading the Sover

he's cornered," Alison murmu

hoice," Juli

tan General confirmed that Galen Knig

rs before irreversible brain death sets in. Flint Kn

onal convoy left Midtown in the rain right after the

w. "He isn't coming to Long Island for Vesper

night family's surveillance grid tightening around Long

tting down the laptop and locking it back in

e black phone on the

he even spoke, the low hum of a Maybach engine and the

s, Alison," Flint's deep, st

window and parted the heav

n estate, beneath the dark shadow of a giant oak tree, the f

orm?" Alison asked, her brows furrowing slightly. "M

-floor window of the west wing. Despite the crisis with his grand

company," Flint murmur

here were dark shadows under your eyes. You h

ess billionaire had noticed such a small detail

ied coolly, holding her ground. "Take your men and

iddo," Flint countered smoothly, a note

e. Drop your guard and get some sleep. As long as my car is par

k, Flint added softly, "Goodn

l click

n the rain. Flint Knight was arrogant, controlling, and dangerously shar

breath, Alison let t

of accumulated exhaustion caught up with her all at once.

r hoodie and jeans, and pulled the thin blanket over her shoulders. Within t

passed in the d

sudd

Knock

den door echoed loudly through the tiny stor

Alison's body wen

overly sweet, artificial voice

ly gave you a thin blanket, so I brought you some

nless on the mat

n well knew one cardinal rule: when she was ru

ss Alison's temples. Ice-cold, murderous hostility surged thr

nds. When no answer came from inside, a smug

brass lock on this west wing storage room was worn out and could be po

ic

ned slowly, and the do

Alison's amber eyes snapped open, glowin