The Reaper's Queen

urrowed. "Ava?

e, steadying herself

l right. The ro

around her waist instan

rn etched his sharp feature

like a storm, sho

" He pulled Ava against his chest,

d you do

"She needs air. Look at he

slurring. "Micheal... help. Everythin

erfect worry, yet his ey

m here. Just breathe. M

ly while stroking her hair. "

forward, voice

ds a doc

knees

ed into stre

oss the room, face pale as security approached

whispered i

't worry about anything, Ava.

teve Reynolds' furious gaze burning into her, promising vio

shattered

walls and the sharp sting

d like someone h

ng hands gently pushed her ba

ght." Sam sat beside the bed, h

r from her forehead

a panic attack. Too muc

dry and raw. "Panic attack

ing. Where's my fath

ghtened. He squeezed he

zzlement. Money laundering. They had solid

cracked. She pul

ng with his own hands. You were with

vily and stood, pa

andling it. I've already spoken to the lawyers. For now, you need to rest and stay out

rank one glass of champagne and the

ck, eyes wid

er everything I've done for us?"

l get through this tog

and reassuring, but the kiss

lowers, her red hair glowing under the harsh lights

whole city is talking. You ha

tell me what really happened. I s

"It's bad, sweetie. The board has already voted. Micheal's stepping in as acting ch

bitterly. "From what?

ecessary. The stock is crashing. If I don't take control

Steve's name, Ava'

eyes, the way his fing

re last night. He

tly, but her gree

to focus on getting better. The doctors recommended a shor

d. "A facility? You

ghter. "It's for your own good, darl

and free. "Get o

room had grown

eiling when the doo

ped inside, closing

ed the space, dark su

hispered, but her body betraye

to the bed in

tay long." He sat on the edge, closer

t night wasn't a p

g up her arm. She didn't pu

moves fast. Your father's arrest, your public collapse,

e. "Why do you care?

the inside of her wris

apped in a cage. And I can't stop thinking about how your sk

an a man who drugs you

caught. "

er into a kiss that started fierce then s

his lips moved against he

suddenly

ce twisted with rage. "Get your

placing himself bet

th. Something you cle

ed her swollen lips. "Micheal, l

laughe

you? While your father rots in a cell?" He

rs. Protected you. And

otected her by poisoning her

You have no proof. Get ou

two men, her body still

op. I need air.

his gaze intense. "Come wi

grabbed

oing anywher

still spinning from the remnants of whatever ha

instantly, switching b

After what happened to your mother, the st

her's death sent fresh

of what was happening to the company. Now my fath

u don't have to choose their version of

ith him, everything falls apart. The comp

tween them, h

dangerous freedom. Michea

both their touches - one

ne step to

very carefully, Ava. Once you walk thr

t the hospital floor as the tw

voices and the low hum of New Yo