The room snapped into ice.
Craig's arms dropped from Merlina's waist, Merlina took one instinctive step back, hands coming up to her stomach like she could hide what Adriana had just seen.
Craig found his voice first, low and rough. "Adriana…"
"Don't." The single word cracked like a gunshot. She took one step inside, then another, until the lamplight carved harsh shadows across her face.
"What are you doing here?" Craig asked, stepping forward.
"Seriously?" Adriana choked out, swiping at her cheeks like the tears offended her. "That's all you can say to me?"
Her gaze swung to Merlina, wet and broken. "And you?" Her voice dropped to a sharp whisper, "Didn't we just talk this morning? You couldn't even give me twenty-four hours before you crawled back into his bed?"
She took one step too many.
"Hey." Craig's arm immediately shot out. Controlled, steady and barred across her path. Not forceful. Just final. "Stop."
