Chapter 22

• She jerked frontward when he tugged her forward by their clasped hands to follow behind him, and as he was explaining, whatever it was that he was explaining, she watched the emotions play on his face. His eyes lit up, his grin spread from ear to ear and his free hand waved around as he pointed behind them at what he called the aft, unchecked and like he had not a care in the world. When he was this animated, he looked… human. She could see now why he preferred the yacht over the hotel.
• Freedom.
• He was free to be himself, his true self without having to put on a front for anyone, always guarded, always watchful, always predatory, and, depending on the situation, ready to defend or attack. Talia wondered if he even realized that at that moment, he was doing none of that. Did he know he was acting differently than normal? Did he recognize that he had two completely opposite personas?