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CHAPTER ONE

Mr Cavendish

We sped towards Manhattan in a luxurious town car Stephan and Javier sat close together, clutching hands, their eyes fixed on ainst hi as they stroked over me

I’d found out just a few days ago that my father had remarried after my mother’s death On the tail of that revelation, I had found out that I had a half-brother as just one year younger than I am That meant that my father had been with this other woman for years before my mother had died Before he had killed her

I had no love for the woman, Sharon, who my father had h ht of her

I’d just discovered that she had been killed last night, and in the same method that my mother had been I hadn’t liked the woman, but since I had discovered her existence, I had felt the need to warn her about my father I was positive that she must have known firsthand just how abusive and violent he was, but I had wanted to warn her just what he was capable of, if only to clear my conscience

I had tried, several tiical or not, I felt a crushing guilt at ht to comfort me with his touch

He just heldthe heavy silence that had overtaken the four of us “Would you guys like to have breakfast at a restaurant or at our apartment?” His tone was polite

Stephan didn’t hesitate “Your apartazine a feeeks ago I’ve been looking forward to getting a tour”

James nodded “Good” He checked his watch “Unfortunately, I only have about an hour before I need to get back to my office”

I stiffened, feeling unreasonably disappointed at the news, though I hadn’t even thought he’d be there to s today, but I still couldn’t seeether before he had to go back to work

He seean to rub ly He spoke softly to me “I should be able to cut my workday short, and make it back to the apartment by four, but I’d still love for you to come by my office for lunch Say around eleven? I—“

“I’ll be there,” I told hiet

I felt needy for hih we’d been parted for weeks or months instead of days I hadn’t been this desperate ever before, even during the tiht I was in to think that he and I ht both excited ut tith an acute anxiety

He kissed the top ofmore about it We let Stephan and Javier chatter excitedly about their plans for the day, which included a jog in Central Park and a Broadway show, though they couldn’t decide on what

“Do you guys mind if I make us all early dinner reservations? I’ll , since I’llsertips

Stephan and Javier agreed enthusiastically I thought it eet of him to think of it, but I felt just a tiny bit disappointed I wanted ti seemed torturous

Clark drove us to the underground garage elevator without having to be told, giving me a very friendly smile as James helped uard was apparently pleased that we’d gotten back together I thought it was nice that he seemed to approve of me

Stephan was restless with excitement as the elevator climbed to the penthouse

Jah the opulent space,off all of the spaces that now sported s I flushed every time he did that, still uncomfortable with compliments about my favorite hobby

The whole place was ner touch all over it I’d seen it all before, and even I was impressed

He led us down a long hallith starkthe tour at the inti room

Stephan and Javier immediately moved to thethat lined nearly the entire wall of the room and looked out on the spectacular view of Central Park

“Wow,” Javier said quietly

“A,” Stephan breathed

I moved to thebeside Stephan, equally awed by the now familiar view

Ja down toat the elevator at ten thirty to take you to o anywhere before then, just call the security number saved into your phone”

A door opened froot our breakfast orders and cheerfully bustled back into the kitchen

“Walk ht at my ear

I shivered, nodding

Ja me swiftly from the room

He took a shortcut to the elevator Or rather, I thought it was a shortcut, right up until he was yankingarea