The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never by Gilbert Soysal

At some point, Hannah felt herself being carried into the bath.

She sank into the warm water and rested her head on the lip of the tub, then let sleep take her.

Minutes later, Bryson took her out of the bath, dried her carefully, then carried her to bed.

He slipped her under the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, just staring at her.

After a while, he reached out to trace her features with his fingers.

Hannah’s brows furrowed, then she rolled over, still fast asleep.

Bryson stood up.

After putting his shirt on, he walked to the door and left the room.

The living room was dark, but he made no move to turn on the lights.

He made his way to the couch and plopped down.

Click!

He flicked his lighter open, and the glow of the flame broke through the darkness.

drag of his cigarette and leaned

“Come out!”

one brief moment, there

continued smoking and

are

Bravo!”

out of a hidden corner near the

used the dim moonlight filtering through the window to meander around and sit on the

five in the

sat in silence, staring at each other, though neither

Bryson spoke first.

and get out

Maloney smiled.

is my

You, Mister, are the one who

”

you think you deserve

flashed with

still haven’t caught the shooter who stormed into the Compton

It’s you, isn’t it?”