“Don’t leave,” he said, sweeping the bag off the table. “I’m not really a user either. It’s just that Marlon gave it to me and I thought…”

“Oh – Marlon again,” she scoffed. “That’d be right.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, with sad puppy-dog eyes. “Truly – I don’t know what came over me. I just…”

He reached for her –

“It was a mistake,” he pleaded.

He was close now – warm, smiling, persuasive –

“Please – let’s just have another drink and forget about it.”

She desperately wanted to like Buck.

Frankly Julia, you need Buck.

Without Buck what hope do you have?

“All right,” she said. “I’ll stay a little longer.”

8.7

Max sneaked quietly back into bed –

“Where have you been?” she yawned.

“Just… out on the balcony.”

“What for?”

“Nothing much… just… go back to sleep.”

“Oh no… I don’t think so,” she said, reaching for him.

Max was reluctant but… it would have been rude to resist –

Mate… you should have gone over the balcony.

8.8

Shard could not believe what he was seeing.

There he was, that silly Max, doing it again.

What could he be thinking?

Little wonder there was such disquiet on the mountain. This woman was a real vamp – systematically draining him of every drop of life – he’ll end up like a withered autumn leaf!

How could he allow himself to be so easily overwhelmed?