were burning into her skull, the faint hum of the bulbs drilling into her eardrums. The police station smell

ed smugly, occasionally throwing her gloating glances. Maria tried to focus on breathing, but her mind kept slipping to Emma. Whe

s fell silent. A black car screeched to a halt outside, doors slamming. Seconds lat

walk

-

k at the front desk sergeant. Every person seemed to shrink back i

corded strength of his forearms. His gaze locked on her with a terrifying precision - but his eyes weren't filled

ed belatedly. The assistant stepped forward first, speaking quietly but firmly to the offic

mith's smir

-

e trembling with forced bravado.

ace. He crouched beside her chair, gently taking her cuffed hands into his.

he asked, voice

red herself and tried to pull away. "I-I'm fine,"

tood abruptly and turned, finally letting his gaze

-

ing his voice, but every syllable

before unlocking Maria's cuffs with trembling hands. Relief fl

ster. "You can't j

ughter," he said, voice low enough to be deadly, "and lay a hand on the w

r Smith's response. The older man's mouth ope

y filed a counterclaim for sexual harassment and slander," he said cool

-

he felt Henry's hand brush a tear off her c

oment his fingers wrapped hers, a jolt shot straight through he

n, Smith's voice cracked behind

ria close, shielding her body with

a firm hand. The second the door shut, the chaos muted. The in

-

ody next to hers, the electric charge of his hand still holding hers in the shadows o

to her chest. "Thank you," she whispered, he

y lights. "Don't thank me," he said rough

"You mean you should

y, but he said nothing. The car's l

-

ed to a stop. Maria reached for the door,

cold. "When are you goin

ze burn into her. "I don't want to run," she whisper

respond. Then his hand came up, cupping her jaw so gently it

most breaking. "I've waited years for you, Maria. Year

. His words left her dizzy - both

-

"I need to see Emma," she said, v

jaw. "When you're ready to stop lying t

the cold night air hit her. She turned back once - Henry was sti

the darkness, leaving h

-

jumped to her feet when Maria entered, eyes scanning her fran

n of the night crashing down on her. "He.

cked. "That bast

gentle touch, and the storm in his eyes replayed over and over. A sin

nly one who could sa