didn't

onto hers, sharp as a blade. Silence stretc

away, a silent act of reb

rous. "You really don't k

"I'm not some doll yo

was amused. Almost. Then, with unnerving calm, he pi

he said

lling, wasn't throwing threats-but

it tightly. But instead of eating

alle

te

shed wood of the table. Then, with slow precision,

win this?" His voice

don't need to win. I just

h his gaze-irritation, curiosity, so

. A low, dark sound that s

"Most people break the mome

isted, but she ref

t most

a long moment, he said nothing, and s

e said smoothly. "Starve if you want to. But do

d out, leaving Alina alone wit

ghtly as she exhaled,

won th

i was a man who

fied her more