Blood and Roses

. – The

arms h

tered behind them as an explosion rocked the eastern wing of the house. The blast sent a wave of h

nd her head. His breathing was steady-controlled. She c

d, rising slowly with

ed the smoke-choked hallway. "Mia, I want eyes

Brandon Keller. Armed. Moving west toward the living quarters. Security

s six too many,"

y. Press the gold button. That'll take you down to the garage. Get in the car with

thlessly, rising. "

ing close, cupping her face in one hand. "

ind his calm. Her heart wrenched. She w

u there," sh

romi

ad, turned, and vani

. – Stud

as if sensing her fear. The bookshelf loomed ahead. She pressed the ancient l

elf sl

eel elevator door

ide, shaking,

her-foo

ewhere, sw

ood ra

an

Just Outsi

ard Isla'

think. H

ed. Targ

s Brandon lunged at Isla, dragging her b

o," Damien

ou gonna shoot me w

yes narrow

A

ack, clutching his

s the second bullet ripped into the

ge. "She's mine!

don's hand and punched him. Onc

wailed

es thundered th

ered, gripping Isla's waist as the

re goin

hattan – Blackw

ng with tension, bloodied clothes, bruised

ien's shirt, her legs curled

in front of her. "Brandon's in cust

to kill me," she said

n't have

him. "You came

ways

a leaned forward and kissed him. Not with heat,

apart, she whispe

e said it back w

Morning –

Tower atrium, dressed in a sleek black suit, a

es of arson, assault, and attempted murder. I will personally ensure justice is se

meras

mask, Damien's thou

ys I

ker's Island H

in a cold,

him in. Just stared straight ahead

. "She'll come running back when he leaves her.

passed h

ispered, "

lackwood

oot in the kitch

soft, so breakable in that moment. And yet... she

said, stepping behind her, wra

somethin

nt normal? Af

ned in

ss, the danger, the chaos..

er. Slow. D

e," he murmured

inked.

house. With a g

st

in wit

. "Is this your w

nuckle down her cheek. "Right now, I'm asking y

no

ka

Courtroom 7C

orange jumpsuit, sh

flanked by sec

od to t

e never

e. He threatened my unborn child. He do

udge

remanded wit

and screamed, "This isn't over, I

rward-but Isla re

him dragged out scr

she

– Damien's

. Isla lay on the bed in silk, her belly beginning to sho

ach with his fingers.

s strong as her m

f it's

herit you

led. "God he

u asked me to build a life

s lifted

laced it over her he

e from the bed, went to the dresser,

voice thick. "But you've n

ned th

with a marquise diamond wrappe

tte, will yo

idn't

ust s

spered,

Florence, Italy

drapes fluttered in the breeze. Friends and fa

l arch of red and white roses, the ba

ere ex

in your chao

in your fire,

kis

use r

, a mysterious figure watched the footage o

eir honeymoon. It