I let out a long, heavy breath, resting my forehead against the leather seat for a second before I backed out of the vehicle. I looked down at Iris. She was still on her knees on the wet ground. The torn emerald silk of her dress was damp from the gravel, and her chest was rising and falling as she looked up at me through the gray morning light."That was too close, Mr. Wolfe," she whispered, a tiny ghost of her old, biting smile touching her lips."The audit is closed, Ms. Calder," I said, holding out my hand to her.She took it, her skin smooth and hot against my rough palm. I pulled her up with one strong tug until she was pressed flat against my chest. I did not care who was watching us right then—Conrick, the guards, or her broken father. I wrapped my arms tight around her waist, burying my face in the warm curve of her neck, breathing in the scent of vanilla and lightning. We had survived the fire, and we had survived the secrets.Her small hands gripped the shoulders of my leat
Read more