The Day Our Promise Breaks

Chapter 571

Blake's reflexes were razor-sharp.

Before he could hit the little girl, his foot slammed down on the brakes, coming to a screeching halt.

The front bumper stopped just inches from the girl's frail, trembling body.

The piercing sound of the brakes split the quiet night, startling the little girl.

She jerked her head around.

Through the rain-streaked window, a pair of wide, luminous eyes-bright as stars -locked onto Blake's inside the car.

Their gazes met.

Startled by Blake's icy, intimidating expression-the kind that could freeze over a thousand winters—the girl looked like a frightened fawn. Her big, beautiful eyes went round, her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed onto the wet pavement.

It was impossible to tell if she was shivering from the cold rain soaking her or from sheer terror at Blake's presence.

...

Inside the car,

Even after that near-miss, Blake's features remained composed and frosty.

He was the most notorious "Ice King" in the city's legal world-a man said to be born without the capacity for normal human emotions.

But in the instant his eyes met the little girl's, his pupils dilated.

For those few seconds, her eyes looked so much like Yara's.

Realizing he'd let himself think of Yara again, Blake's gaze turned even colder, his emotions locked down tight. The ripple of feeling lasted only a heartbeat before he returned to his usual, impassive self.

After watching the girl collapse, he pushed open the car door, grabbed an umbrella, and stepped out.

Long legs hit the ground, and he strode to the front of the car, stopping just half a step away from the little girl.

He looked down.

child on the ground -certain she was

it at her feet. His voice was as cold as steel. "Take

knew perfectly well he hadn't

girl had thrown herself in front of his car with practiced

these scams before-kids of all ages, some as young as this one.

someone would try it on

wouldn't

...

ground with

on her lap,

snatched up

A hundred dollars could buy her and Mom so much

man not only owned a car, but he could also just hand out a

meant

was seared of

lying sick at home, she mustered her courage. As Blake bent to get

and threw her

around his leg.

really sick. Please, can you lend me

will work hard to pay

many bottles and boxes this

eyes grew even colder

regretted giving

like her, he thought,

turned

"1

like he was her only lifeline,

Blake shifted his leg.

her off easily-she was so tiny

down at

end, Blake leaned into his car grabbed a handful of