One thing was certain, if Gaara ever found out, his fury would be merciless. Esther could picture it too clearly: that same raw violence he had once confessed to her about in the city park, the story of how he had sent the upper classman who betrayed him straight to the hospital. If Vinson ever opened his filthy mouth, she was convinced she would share that man’s fate.

A shiver crawled down her spine at the mere thought.

“If you tell him,” she hissed under her breath, her voice sharper ...