“Their leader has been missing since Monday’s raid. We will find him within twenty-four hours and deliver him to the authorities, courtesy of the noble houses,” Maricius continued firmly.“Tonight…”“Yes, my Lord. At the latest. Do you want to speak with him before he his handed off?” Lord Voltera asked neutrally.“No.”Lord Voltera bowed and stepped back.After a long silence, Lord Kramer spoke.“Damien, I will need a speech. Make it short. Very short. Quentin, you have my leave to attend to our friends.”He glanced at those gathered. “We are being attacked by someone who has a personal vendetta against my son, or my house. This is being investigated,” he nodded at Maricius, “and we will be going through every suspicion with a fine comb.”He stood.“We will not be cowed by anyone or anything. Our lives will not be take

The stranger paid for her items, and she transferred the money back to him that same day.Both her phone and wallet had been delivered to the lost and found desk and were announced through the mall’s speakers, while she and the stranger were having a coffee that the stranger had insisted on, to help the Lady take the edge off her rough day.He took her to dinner the next day to say ‘thank you,’ and she took him to a bar the following week to say ‘no problem.’ In both instances, they had arrived separately, and she had selected the venue.They became ‘friends’ who discussed anything the Lady wanted and who met up only at the Lady’s home, in the evenings, two to three times a week.Tyler occasionally brought gifts that could not be found in any stores, and she occasionally made purchases through his contacts, selling them at a profit to her circle of friends.Tyler always got her sweet deals, and she was always grateful. First with light hugs, then l