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She thought of hih her and past her as if she had suddenly become invisible

The best Christift-wrapped box full of all those reo

CHAPTER FIVE

ALESSANDRO stepped out of his car, dispatched his driver, and squinted through the driving rain at Megan’s house There were several reasons why he shouldn’t be here—thethat he had had too ht A time when most noran not being in the norhts on

He didn’t give hi hadn’t been doing hiood

He began walking very slowly up to the front door He could feel the icy rain slashing against his face, perh the thin layers of his trenchcoat and jumper to bare skin

The three bangs he gave on the front door were loud enough to raise the dead There was a muffled sound of activity, and the door was pulled open just as he had raised his hand to ad

‘Oh,here?’

‘Developing pneumonia’ Alessandro placed the palm of his hand on the door—at which point Charlotte positioned herself neatly between him and the hallway ‘Let me in’

‘Megan’s not here’

Alessandro pushed a little harder and stepped forward ‘You’re as forthright as ever, aren’t you?’

‘Just looking out for my friend, and she doesn’t want to see you’

‘Doesn’t want to see me or isn’t in? Make your mind up’

The appearance of Megan hovering on the staircase behind Charlotte answered at least one of his questions She looked confused and ruh she had just woken up Her cheeks were flushed, and her silky blonde hair was a curly cloud around her startled face