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Hundreds of lenses zeroed in on rey dress A frill of lace decorated onally downjacket lay over the back of my chair Winter had well and truly thawed--the heat in the roo forward, I cli heaven I didn’t trip Thedistance, Q snaked his ar time, esclave," he murmured in my ear "You’ll pay for that later"

My heart kicked harder, thrueous scent of citrus and sandalwood He tugged ?" I whispered, trying to keepyou, obviously"

I frowned "Using et it do you, Tess? I wouldn’t be here without you I wouldn’t have found happiness All of this is yours, not iven"

A reporter grew impatient "Mrs Mercer--how does it feel to be irls fro?"

I lost the power to breathe, stunned stupid by the question Theme in

Oh, God I’d be on TV Friends fro Fahter they ignored My life would be known by everyone

Q tightened his hold, giving th

But it doesn’t matter It didn’t matter because Q was etherness

I nodded, sucking up courage "I’ed to share his life He’s beyond incredible" I cringed fro five-year-old

The reporter tilted his head "Give uy--why?"

My forehead furrowed "Why?" What sort of ridiculous question was that?

Q stiffened, hisreckless on a live broadcast, I said, "The truth? It’s si home"

A small murmur of satisfaction bled around the room Cameras clicked faster, hands shot up with notepads and recording devices

Questions rained

"Tell us what happened"

"What does fifty-eight mean to you?"

"Have you met any of the wo allegations that he uses the wo--is it true you released a thousand birds?"

Q held up his hand, silencing everyone with one savage doard sweep "Enough! We’ve agreed to one interview, and those questions will be answered at the appropriate ti as if he wanted to shoot everyone in the room, he said, "I wish to thank everyone who donated to Feathers of Hope, for their continued support of Moineau Holdings, and for everyone who has been a true friend right frorowled, "But this has been given incorrectly I’ but aI’ve been given"

His eyes fell onwith desire; I flushed Cae would be splattered on newspapers around the world Q had become a hot commodity, and he’d ht my own prince My own dark wonderful prince

Q tore up the scroll

I blinked "Q--what are you--?"

The room rippled with concern The prime minster stepped forward, his forehead furrowed "Uive me a moment It’s not what it looks like" He continued to rip up the thick parchraced with and now never would--he’d turned it into confetti

Shit, what is he doing?

My heart raced, not wanting to interfere, but terrified he wasthe shards in his hand, he stalked off the stage, heading to the first rohere doctors, therapists, and police--all who’d been with Q froave them a piece of the scroll

Once everyone had a scrap, Q returned to the stage Dragging a hand through his hair, he siiven To the nition or benefit They fought against evil--just as all the supporters and workers of Feathers of Hope do Thank you And now, I’e o back to our seats, instead, Q slae entrance of the town hall

"Q--we should wait--" I didn’t like going anywhere without security Ever since coe my master, I’d been ruthless inside I pretended to maintain my innocence, but beneath it, I was vicious I wouldn’t have any qual if our life’s were threatened It didn’t et their hands dirty, however

Where’s Franco?

Cameramen and reporters swelled behind us like an unstoppable wave They clicked and queried, staying at a respectful distance

"Franco’s behind us I just want to get to the interview and get it over with" Q’s jaw ticked, guiding me fast toward the exit He didn’t say a word as he s into the street

A roar

A cresting of voices, cheers, gratefulness

My eyes widened, unable to cohtened aroundfrantically for freedom "Goddammit"

Women

So many women--some with friends, others with families, but all linked by the same look of reverence in their eyes for Q

Q

My husband was beloved

Franco appeared, flanking Q while Frederick and Angelique appeared by eliqueblack hair was coiled into a bun; her white dress setting off her dusky skin