rushed against the brass zi

stant, Alison

ht hand shot out and clamped around Brook's throat like an iron vise, sla

ed in shock, her hands clawing frantically at Alison's slender

ah

. Her lungs burned as her airway was completely cu

in-streaked window, Alison looked s

ight," Alison said, her voice low, smooth, and

l off her feet, hitting the wooden floor with soft thuds. Tears of sheer t

inch, pressing straight into the nerve cluster on the side of

er, speaking in cr

y room uninvited again, or touch my bag one more time, an

save you--you'll spend the next fifty years paralyzed

omeone who knew human anatomy inside and o

She realized in horror that Alison wasn't a helpless country girl-

d out from lack of oxygen

o the floorboard

oxygen rushed back into her burning throat. Dark purple bruises were already formi

ver tray, slowly wiped each finger of her right hand,

Alison sa

r, she scrambled toward the door on hands and knees, yanked it open, and fl

the door. Grabbing the wooden chair, she wedged the backrest tightly unde

on bed, the black phone on t

t Knight's deep, calm voice came th

r room like a terrified rabbit, Kiddo," Flint said, a trac

rubbing her knuckles lightly. "She's still br

Flint looked toward the mansion's east wing, where several b

int murmured, his voice tur

ome late tonight, they won't dare wake him now--which means tomorrow morn

ical weeping and Eugenia's sharp voice echoed briefly before

rently, lying back down on the mattres

with undeniable possessiveness and warmth. "You want to take on the whole wo

What are you planning, Knight? I told

the platinum watch on his wrist,

or three months to get a ten-minute investment me

rough those front doors in person. It's time I taught th

dn't ask for

lint interrupted gently. "Now close your eyes and get s