ing echoed fro

r, braced himself on the frame and dragged h

red, but his eyes shone with a f

ne's chest, leaving her shaken in

s about family bonds

eplied, her v

ed freely down his cheeks. "You've come home. That's all

the chaos, holding an old wooden box in her arms. "

d pink dress fit for a little princess, sweaters that had been lovingly h

we saved these gifts for every birthday you missed after you were gone. Mom and Dad, and a

or the princess dress, brushing th

ng of emotion so deep she

forgotten. They had always bee

ped over his chest as a violent cough overtook him, a

ile tugged at his mouth. "You came back to me, Na

c rushing into his voice. "Don't give up! Stay with us, Dad! I'm call

down and brushed her fingertips

, bringing it close

would recognize it-she did. Lethal, patient, impossible t

for this. Who hated the

h for answers. Nadine's eyes

nd, without hesitation, produced a sca

vene. "Nadine! Are you out of

want him to live, trust me.

uld lose the family she

d sliced Jordy's shirt open i

g near anything vital, parting flesh and muscle

sed the scalpel's tip to a series of

lled up and spilled

make his breathing just a bit calmer,

rdy into her arms and carried him straig

e entire rescue lasted l

zen, mouth open, unable to pr

Had Nadine just pulled their fat

Yet, here was Nadine, missing for two decades, saving their fa

his even

ou're unbelievable," Jacob stamm

e turned, exhaustion written all over her face.

a bright, well-kept room. "This has always been your room, Nadine. We've made sure to keep it clean ev

g with emotion. Nadine smiled and motioned f

.

usive club in Sheftol, Rhys Bailey sat qu

ice laced with bravado. "Mr. Bailey, you look a lit

glare. "Go bothe

s, you really ought to learn a thing or two about charm. Are you really that d

e, irritation flashing across his face. "

lling it quits, huh? You think your old man i

Rhys, his voice cold as he slouched back on the sofa. Hi

gan border. Trapped by enemies, left bleeding from gunsho

woman's steady hands, a scalpel flashing

g only a glimpse of her fac

gone as if she had n

possessed, searching every corner of Urygan. The woman who

ly made with the Clark fami

ed him back from death