For all the time Susanna had spent in Litamark, the weather had never truly been cold. She certainly hadn''t expected to stumble upon a snow-capped mountain up here.


    Hull watched her, genuine amusement flickering across his otherwise steely features as she scampered through the snow with the giddy abandon of a child.


    "You like snow?" he asked.


    "Absolutely!" Susanna beamed. Ever since she was little, snowy days had been her favorite. Back home, she''d cozy up with a te of hot wings and watch the kes drift down, feeling a rare, private happiness. More often than not, she was alone— her mother always so busy. If Tegan was around, Tegan would keep herpany, andter, Star took on that role.


    Suddenly, Hull''s phone vibrated. Ss was calling. Hull answered briskly, "Go ahead."


    "Derek just tracked your location-he''s already on his way," Ss reported, always keeping close tabs on Derek''s movements.


    Hull threw a look over to where Susanna was still ying blissfully. His voice turned frosty. "He''sing alone?"


    "He''s got Caden, his driver, with him. That''s it."


    No extra reinforcements. Seemed Derek at least had the good sense not to escte things.


    "Got it," Hull replied, ending the call.


    He''d barely hung up when a snowball came flying his way-Susanna again, pure mischief on her face. In moments like this, she really was just a kid at heart. She watched with delight as Hull easily snagged the snowball midair.


    "Wow, you''re amazing!" she cheered.


    "Don''t overdo it," Hull chided. "You''re still recovering, remember?"


    Susanna''s face fell. Leave it to him to ruin the moment. She hadn''t even thought about her injury since this morning the ointment he''d used must have worked a miracle, since she''d felt a twinge when she woke up but nothing at all after running around like this.


    “Come on," Hull said, "let''s go check out the hot springs."


    "There''s a hot spring here too?" Her eyes sparkled at the thought.


    "Yep," Hull confirmed. "So. Do you want to ski, or soak?"


    “Ski!” Susanna answered instantly. Skiing near Portis City was nearly impossible— she''d always had to catch a flight abroad just to spend a day on the slopes. She wasn''t about to miss this chance now.


    Hull arched a brow. "You can ski?"


    She gave a confident nod. "Definitely. I''m actually pretty good."


    Tennis and skiing were her two true loves when it came to sports-unlike anything involving water, which she''d never had a talent for.


    Hull looked intrigued. "How about a race?"


    Susanna grinned. "You''re on."


    She could hardly wait to hit the slopes.


    Hull led her to the changing lodge. Susanna always preferred slimmer gear for skiing no bulkyyers. When she stepped out, dressed for speed rather than warmth, Hull''s brow furrowed.


    "Are you sure you won''t freeze?"


    "I''ll be fine. I''ll warm up once I get moving," she answered without a second thought.


    He slipped the goggles onto her head-she stood dutifully still, barely reaching his chest even with her hat on. The sight made him think of a little marshmallow bundled up in all that winter gear.


    "How good are you, really?" he pressed, worried despite himself.


    Susanna thumped her chest. "Trust me I''ve got this covered."


    She didn''t dare boast about other things, but when it came to skiing, she had every right to be confident.


    Hull''s concern faded the instant she


    hit the snow. She flew down the slope with effortless grace, looking like a total pro Hull, who had always figured her for a bundle of trouble, couldn''t help feeling a flicker of genuine admiration.


    Derek didn''t reach Wyloch Mountain


    until after four in the afternoon. By


    then, Susanna and Hull were done skiing and had settled into a cozy mountain cabin. On the terrace on making hot wings over a portable stove, and Hull indulged her whim.


    Susanna insisted terrac


    When Derek finally arrived, the sight of his daughter and Hull lounging outside,ughing and eating together, sent his temper ring to its peak He''d spent days steeped in anxiety-yet this defiant girl of his seemed untouched by a care in the world.


    Just then, he overheard Hull ask, “So you''re really just going to ignore what''s happening with ck Gate?"


    Susanna shrugged. "What''s there to worry about? That man''s not my father. None of this is my concern."


    Derek stood, speechless, the wordsnding like a punch.