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The skirmish ended; no one moved

Silence hovered thick over the table

The only sound was the heavy ticking of a grandfather clock by the gold ladder leading to the li the large space arht that dared trespass on priceless books or fade cherished words

Finally, Marshall sucked in a breath He rearranged his fountain pen again "Now that we’re all on the sa at , you may address me as Marshall, or by ues"

Pointing to the uy, he continued, "This is Hartwell Backham, followed by Samuel Cole, andhad stopped, leaving lowered at the azes

They were here to do the job they’d been entrusted Their loyalties were steadfast Their intentions unchangeable

I doubted they sawmore

Daniel poked me under the table "After your little stunt, the least you can do is be nice" His voice deepened "Say hello"

Yet another way to makehter

I’ll do nothing of the sort

Jased lared at her "Why should I?"

"Because you belong to her, you little cow" Grabbing her cane, Bonnie struck her chair leg as if the furniture would turn into a horse and gallop her away from there "Start Now"

Marshall launched into action "Of course, Mada open the file in front of hi open and pens uncapped

"Let ain provide service to your iroaned, steepling his fingers "Lose the arse kissing Did you bring the file or not?"

Paper scattered the wooden tabletop like fallen snowflakes, reain of the icy way Jethro protected hi as I slowly made him want me

The pain in my nose shot to my heart

He’s dead

He’s dead

Don’t think about hi at his son--the blond buzz cut douchebag--he pointed at a box by the exit "Grab that will you, Matthew?"