Chapter One

From the chair in front of his bedroom window, Valentine received the first rays of the rising sun. The warm morning air blew in from the ocean and spilled over his waking form. His dark curls folded back against his head, and Valentine closed his eyes, relishing the sensation of the wind’s kiss with all the adoration of a faithful lover. The hairs of his short beard were tickled by this tender caress, and the skin of his bare chest, recently washed, prickled slightly in response. H...