Ava, his expre

he car," he said,

driver, who was hov

go an

rder, possessive yet with an und

n? Or just da

allowing the driver

an's town car, Mark and David, Ethan's ever-pre

car, one on each

window. Ava reluc

Mark said, trying fo

been a loose cann

.. This whole thing with Isabella,

n't mean anything about

in it, to reassure her

aight ahead, s

k had started to dry,

a statue, cold

ver her, meaningless

ll part of

n. Isabella was just another play

rged from the caf

her, the scent of his expens

her chin, exami

he said, his voice so

handkerchief and

mplicated. A legacy thing. It means not

nder, his words

nd, she almost believ

rom his touch, her express

she said, he

andkerchief but di

beside her felt like

s a lie. His "care"

ed smoothly

eding to make a call, about rearran

, tires

to see a large truck veer

split second, he threw his b

crunch of metal, the

ring pain in her head bef

of antiseptic and the

osp

ried to sit up, but a wa

dfire. You

ale, a cut above his eye, his ex

his eyes were fixed on

id. And a few bruises. You

e. "My arm's a bit ban

adjusting her pillow

ely shaken, genu

ng? Maybe his protection in the

She reached for it, intending to c

ification. From a

as Isabella's

lingering thread of susp

s a v

resse

haky, clearly f

and David in what looke

der is set for tomorrow? You sure this

oice, cal

ss. A little scare, me playing the hero again... it'll m

today. This will make Isabella look like the

if she gets a littl

ust make sure it's not her face. A concussion, ma

elf into protecting her, I'll know you sti

worry, Isabella. I know how to play

ideo

screen, the phone slippi

crash.

c" act. A

esting the "f

ulously planned, c

lungs. The sterile hospi

er. He had orches