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“Well here’s soen says, her voice sharper than the ladies of the Country Club have ever heard it “As long as you’re part of this family, I will help you and protect you But everyone here pulls their weight We work together, for the better, or if you endanger any of the faht, you’ll never lift it up again Do you understand me?”

Ha That’s the I for The steel behind the socialite

“I understand the concept of family loyalty,” I tell her

Seeingentirely

Ier, then nods

“I’ll show you your room,” she says

I follow her up the wide, curving staircase to the upper level

I’ve been here once before I already knohat lies to the left: the girls’ roous

Iives no hint of sen already renovated, replacing the carpet and repainting the walls They’re pale blue noith shutters over the s instead of curtains Even the fireplace got a facelift, with a nehite stone facade and a glass enclosure for the grate

“No en says drily

“Much safer,” I agree, not sure whether to laugh or be embarrassed

We walk down a long hallway to another private suite, sien opens the doors, I realize we’re in Calluot exactly the sort of dark, masculine decor and attention to order that I would expect of hine, aftershave, soap, and a hi

nt of his skin frooosebumps rise up on my forearms

I was expecting the Griffins to givein their separate suites I thought, at worst, Calluht now and then

But, apparently, they actually expect us to share a roo our teeth at the sa