Dominic didn't move, but his fingers tightened around the armrest.
"The Thorne family..." he repeated in a low, dangerous murmur.
The door of the center vehicle slid open. Evan Thorne stepped out, walked over, and tapped twice on the window on Avery's side. Dominic made no move to lower the glass; their gazes clashed through the layer of bulletproof shielding in a silent, lethal struggle.
Evan didn't speak again. Instead, he raised his phone, holding it level with Avery's eyes.
[Dr. Clair, can you step out for a moment? It won't be long.]
She looked out the window. Evan had already stepped back, waiting by the car door. The atmospheric pressure inside the cabin plummeted to sub-zero. Avery turned to the man beside her. Dominic wasn't looking at her, but his hand—previously resting on
