She laughed, opening her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Whoa, who said anything about love?" she teased.
"Not necessarily. I can enjoy the smell of almond in soaps, perfumes and cakes. That doesn't mean I love almond."
She smiled sleepily, resting her head just under his collarbone to listen to his heartbeat. "I love you, Craw. Really."
She murmured something that was indiscernible, but her tone was warm and loving as she drifted off, her finger curled in his shirt. The bruises on her neck were dark against her skin and they trailed down her shoulders underneath the shirt, dull but striking against her pale complexion.
Several hours would pass before he would hear the knock on the door. Poppy murmured in her sleep, shifting at the noise but not quite waking up, her face buried in his chest.
Francis grumbled, his brow furrowed as he sat up at the knocking. Slowly, he made his way out of bed, and went to answer the door.
When he opened the door, he was greeted by a lone man, smiling charmingly at him. "Good morning," he said pleasantly. "Are you Mr. Francis Craw?"
"None of your concern," the man said, still wearing the same charming smile. His brown hair was styled perfectly over his smooth face and he tilted his head slightly, his green eyes studying Francis like a scientist would observe a bug under a microscope. "Would you mind following me for a moment? We'd like to make this as easy as possible."
