Page 288 of Black Reign

Sabine moves.

I freeze.

Her eyes stay closed.

No.

I'm not taking this conversation in here.

I touch two fingers lightly to the back of her hair.

Soft.

Real.

Then I leave the bedroom and pull the door almost closed behind me.

Almost.

Not completely.

I want to hear her if she wakes.

That realization would probably concern a therapist.

I continue toward the secure study.

My father is already waiting when I bring the Blackwell conference wall online.

Not alone.

Naturally.

Three members of senior legal.

Blackwell European operations.

Security.

My father's face dominates the center display from Monaco.

Sunlight pours across the Mediterranean behind him.

London is still gray.

He looks immaculate.

I am barefoot, wearing black trousers and yesterday's white shirt, sleeves rolled to my elbows.

His first words are not good morning.

“Clear the room.”

Everyone on his side stands.

One of the lawyers hesitates.

My father looks at him.