The smile on River Larkin's face was stiff, a fact he hadn't even realized himself. "It's nothing, just a small token between friends. Don't worry, I promised I'd help you deal with those three brothers, and I'll definitely do it!"
After speaking, his gaze swept past Stella Sterling toward the room behind her. "I already have a preliminary plan for this. There are a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Would it be alright if I came in for a bit so we can talk?"
As River Larkin's eyes scanned the room, his expression darkened. He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down and not act too strangely.
He hadn't gone inside, and Stella Sterling's apartment was just as dark and unlit as any other, but standing at the door, he didn't feel the same icy chill he felt in his own home.
This sparked a suspicion in his mind. 'Could Stella Sterling's apartment still have heating...?'
