The Midnight Iris of Betrayal

velyn. The infidelity clause, surprisingly, was iro

When he walked in, he stared at them, confused

he polished wood. "Sign

e free. Free to pursue whatever twiste

s. "So generous, Allison. What's the catch? You usually don't give up s

and away as if his touch burn

ose room was closest to the front entran

carefully constructed f

given me for our anniversary just last year. Except hers was a vibrant fuch

cooed, her eyes darting between Brennan and the papers on hi

Brennan avoided my gaze

s riding lesson. Colton is joining too. He needs a frien

hildren from 'appropriate' families, was now using Cheri's son as

stack of overdue bills now covering them. He minimiz

said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.

esperate, maternal pull. Bird had insisted I come, a rare

, and their two sons, laughing, riding together. They looke

leverage this, Allison. Make him pay.' But what

The vows he'd made, the promises of f

the fake family, when I heard it. Brennan's low

n isn't exactly... the caliber of child we usually have

ton will be part of the family soon enough. Bird needs a brother. And

ob. 'Part of the family soon enough?' So that was his lon

narrowing as he spotted me. The air in

bled an excuse about needing to ch

dropping, Allison?" Brennan's

w you prefer to conduct your affairs in plain sight, Bren

you think. Colton's a good kid. I was just... thinking aloud abo

dy bruised and battered, finally calcified. "I want a

pulative. "No, Allison. We can fix this. Y

screamed, "Col

e, narrowly missing my eye, the fletching bru

s son, wrapping his arms around him. "Colton, a

his bow. His eyes met mine, a flicker of malevolenc

the police," I said, my voice shaking

nd. "Don't be ridiculous, Allison! It

e always so dramatic! Say sorry

cusing. "If you hurt Cheri or Colton,

a mask of cold fury. A hollow laugh escaped me. "F

go down this path, Allison? You know what my legal team