The man’s head turned toward her slowly, his eyes dragging across her in a way that made her skin crawl. A glimmer of dark amusement flickered there.

“Ira? You’re back.” her father stammered, his nervousness betraying him.

The stranger scratched his mustache, still staring. “And this must be your daughter.” His tone was both casual and assessing.

Ira’s glare sharpened, though a small knot of fear pulsed inside her.

She crossed the room quickly to stand by her father’s side, ...