CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE'S HEIR

Uncle Jason suggests, tryin

to stop any arguments. "I'll st

me close, leading me out of the room. As we walk, he makes me laugh with a sto

d myself smiling, even if Aunt Kate watches me with

ate. "Maybe a little yoga would help with my

r girl time. I'm sorry work

bly for the best. Too much 'girl time'

l, and Uncle Jason gives my shoulders a light massage. "

ebrow. "This isn't a f

ink, "By the way, I got tickets for the Ars

ll team or some of the people on it, I love watching games. U

or some silly game," Aunt Kate warns, thoug

the fridge for dinner ingredients. For a moment, I f

ight thinking about what happened yesterday and almost talked myself ou

o school, head held high. The usu

me. Yesterday's events play over in my mind. My hands sta

e my phone, I'd tried calling her from home, but she didn't pick up. I f

, and a chill runs down my spine. My memory rep

here. I frown, wondering if Maxwell did something

turn and bump right

Liam's voice is smug, as if

nt to scream. I step back, putting some

ning wouldn't help. If I tried, he

, my confidence wavers. Liam's perfectly put-together. Strong, confident, a

de, I'll be r

most of my courage fades. The t

fect

fect

fect

the school uniform looks like it was made j

omething he uses to

harm

with the

m a distance, he looked like some kind of

ryone and swore he'd ruin me, I've realized

e is the emptiness in hi

ha

ark a

t. Either they're too caught up in

as ruthless as he wants. He could start a battle tha

love. No. O

to power, and at DES, Lia

was in charge. Now that Jake has gradu

yesterday," Liam says,

ergency." I give myself a silent pat on

gers on my chest, like he's trying to see right through my shi

"I don't believe you, Frozen. I think

m? I don't care

believe can change y

hiss, trying to stay calm.

whatever I say yo

h? Because I'm not above trying it. The world w

my anger and

get to me

swinging me back so hard I stu

h a brutal forc

y you cou

know if you've noticed, but

irst time fo

round my waist, his hands resting against the small

ogne, and his warmth seems to