Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

He whispered the words again, heading straight for the door.

Maybe it was Sylvia's imagination, but the usual icy, pine-like chill that clung to him was now masked by a heavy scent of antiseptic and medicine.

When she turned, he was already gone.

Chris snapped back to reality, a little anxious. "I'm going to check on him."

That left only Reese and Sylvia in the room.

Reese didn't press for details; she just helped Sylvia sit down. "Sylvia, I'm sorry. My aunt can be kind of stubborn. I think Mr. Rupert only tolerates her because of me. Let me apologize on their behalf."

Sylvia looked at Reese, at a loss for words.

It took a while before she finally asked, "Reese, about Yves..."

"I had no idea Yves was like that behind the scenes. He hurt so many women-he deserves to answer to the law. You were amazing, but you took such a big risk."

Reese's voice was passionate, even a little naive.

Sylvia only had to think for a second to understand where that innocence came from.

Rupert had never told Reese how twisted Yves's obsession with her had become. He just let her take the fall.

What a joke.

covered her face and started

in surprise. "Sylvia, what's so

You're

anything, to be loved and

bed, reassuring her. "Alright,

she was about to leave, Sylvia reached out

don't believe the rumors, okay? Just focus on

"You guys worry way more than

Sylvia in, still

burden had finally been lifted, drifted off to sleep,

after Rupert and followed

he saw Rupert's tall frame-six-foot-three- collapse heavily to

forward, catching Rupert and helping him onto

time he straightened up,

didn't even bother to fix it. Instead, he yanked Rupert's

bring supplies and meds, tending to the wounds while his

If you'd just stood up and said Kay was behind all this, she wouldn't. have gone so

where she was kept-there were Hanson family bodyguards everywhere. Orson went through hell to get you in, and you almost got yourself killed, got stabbed threw yourself into the ocean and wrecked your spine. Then

not just say it? Look at Mr. Sanford he might as well tattoo

looked up, but the words caught in his throat when he

beading and dripping from his