as I picked up one after another-Jennifer with dark hair and sad eyes, Rebecca with a bright smile that didn't

som

he silence, but I couldn't look at him. Not yet. Not when

da's photograph. She looked so young, maybe even y

inch. "Shall I tell her what happened to Amanda when she trie

. In one fluid motion, he crossed the room and grabbed Victori

rolled rage. "You can't make me leave, Harris. Not anymore." She reached into her purse and pu

ns turned to ice wa

her, Harris? Should sweet little Flora hear the conversation you ha

t I heard something in his voice

ed play on the device, and suddenly Harris's voice filled the p

them try to break it or go public, I need lega

oice, unmistakably, talking about ensuring si

ed, fast-forwarding through the

. The next one needs to be completely dependent on me, completely

uld never risk putting in danger. My mother. Tommy. He had chose

ng to see some sign that this was all an elaborate lie. Instead, I saw a

not what it

aking hands. "You researched my family. You bought my father's debts. You k

tecting my

words came out as a shout, all my fear and rage fin

ious. "The kind of monster who destroys anyone who gets in his way. But don't worr

rning bells go off in my head

ice-blue eyes that was far more dangerous than Harris's calculated coldn

mes the only way to save someone is to

ified breathing. Victoria reached into her purse again, and t

er, and pointed di

calm, but I could see the tension in every line of

ady, terrifyingly steady, as she held the weapon. "This is a

r hurt

ce rising to a shriek. "Jennifer didn't die in a car

ey to start over!" Harris exploded, his control finally snapping. "Just like Jennifer, who is hap

thunderclap. Victoria's face went

ing," she

re's Rebecca's wedding invitation. Here's Amanda's business license." He held up the phone so Victoria could see the scr

one, my mind reeli

ges were real. But when the year was up, I honored my word. I let them go with enough m

but she didn't lower i

ut protecting myself legally, yes. But not about hurting anyone. About making sure that if

manent s

no one would ever need to break them." Harris took a step toward Victoria, his hands rai

o. No, you're lying. You have to be lying, because if you're not..." Her voi

he question came from behind her,

ng an expensive suit, with intelligent dark eyes that missed nothing.

n. Harris'

did you-" H

d entirely on the woman with the gun. "Ever since the security cameras picked up

un toward Marcus, and in that moment

n. Harris tackled Victoria, the gun went off with

realize the scream had

skittering across the marble toward the windows. Marcus

er wild blonde hair spread around her like a broken h

that window, I could see lights in the building across the street-lights t

NG, FLORA. CHEC

someone who had been watching us, someone who wanted me to know that even now, even w

secured the gun, I looked at Harris, who w

quietly, "what's

ross his face told me ev

en lying about eve