Ruthless Ties

hing the sun rise over the city. A soft breeze rustled her loose hair, carrying with it the sounds o

he burn of his touch, the pressure of lips that claimed hers with such absolute certainty

t loud, in the hope the echo of th

th a bun perched precariously on her head and threatening to tumble off any minute. She was balanc

Lydia asked as she

ra replied candid

riosity bright in her eyes.

. "He's not

what

career hanging by a thread." She trailed off, her grip tightening on

shoulder. "You're allowed to be human, Elar

now,

her off. "Whoever he was, he'

osen. She appreciated Lydia's attempt to ease her mi

glass. The skyline spread before him like a canvas, but his mind was elsewhere-loc

ask over in his hands, edges

ir

entered, a thick folde

t is

he desk. "The gala securi

es darken

is mouth upward. "She's a ghost. No name, no traceable identi

houette was backlit by the soft light of the chande

focused on the image. "Obviousl

went serious

winged upward.

n't blin

s like finding a needle in a stack of hay, rig

to Adam's voice was final. "

gathered up the folder. "You're a man

ched in his hand. He had never set stock in the fates aligning or coincidence,

ot one to gi

-

ened her laptop to scroll through e-mails. The latest from her editor leap

evisions by next we

head like dark clouds, while her mind was one raging storm of emotions. And

the door broke h

she calle

plastic container full of cookies.

a weak smi

the bed, studying her hard

ne," El

ward the laptop. "Work isn't

h a sigh. "I can't sto

myste

idiculous. I don't even know his name

aybe because he made y

t a humourless laugh

ll it takes i

ment have changed the course of her life forever? She didn't believe in fairy tales,

spered, her voice

is was thinking muc