eenhouse, casting a pale glow over the leaves of sage, basil, an

the roots of an orchid-a favorite flow

r, a knitted blanket draped over her lap,

murmured, her voice raspy

ght me," she pointed out with a smile, wiping

e perfect moment to share the news. She stripped off her gloves and knelt be

began softly. "Logan Montclair came by yesterday. He'

t identical to her grandda

he Montcla

'd choose the other option..."

th Logan, but she was at peace with it, knowing the

, and he agreed to let you live with us. I'm going to

was a promise against destiny itself-against the haunting memory of her grandmo

er to read beyond the words, catching the fierce determination that hardened Lysandra's normall

She winked mischievously. "And a Montclair, huh? I just hope he inherited more

tantly, though the crude humor

nd in that moment, it was

hearty chuckle echoing

g over the shelves crammed with pots, trailing vines, and rare medicinal herbs. "But what ab

. The greenhouse was Lucylle's entire world-her therapy

ra assured her with fierce conviction.

he manual labor, the rich scent of damp earth, the warmth of the sun pressing through the glass-it all helped quiet the storm insid

the open sea, the afternoon air carried the sharp smacks of flesh and bone and the heavy rh

ial energy boiling beneath his skin, and a way for Kael to keep him sharp and focus

ouse. Dressed in her impeccable uniform, her platinum-blonde hair pulled

alled out. "A call for

from his sparring partner to the device. A completely different kind of ten

diately backed off. He snatched the phone f

d, his voice rough and

I hope I'm not

e. But

e exchanged a qui

u know. And she lives for the greenhouse my father built for her here at home. For the plants she cultivates. It's what keeps

ze drifted to the horizon where the sea met the sk

ing for?" he demanded, hi

l the equipment we currently have," she explained, before adding a persuasive edge to her voice. "

this woman had been an accomplice to his murder. Yet here she

r part-the part that had stood with her on the deck just hours ago, the part deeply impressed by her sheer nerve in

ou expect me to build t

is biting tone faze h

ome underutilized annex. You're a man of immense resources, Mr.

iated him. Instead, a strange, unbid

limits and his power. Yet she was doin

s cold and flat, sealing away any trace of emotion befor

was completely audi

ll see you Thu

sed to his ear for a second longer. Finally, he lowered his arm and tur

favor strictly for the elderly woman. "I want the sunniest, most protected space on this property identified within the hour. Hire the

thout blinking

, opened her mouth

e? Here at t

rk glare forcing her to take a quick

Seraphine's hands and turned to head inside the house. The sweat was

d sick grandmothers. He had built it to isolate himself-to protect h

eyes was casually rewriting the rules he h

f growling in warning, was hopelessly drawn to t