Ashfo

linebackers, with the same dead eyes as the bodyguards who flanked Ethan's ca

a pr

in and rage. Screaming wouldn't work. Begging was pointless. Ethan had ma

ll button clipped to m

nurse from before slipped into th

Ashford?" s

elp me," I whispered, pouring every ounce of my desperation into my voice. "Please.

s. She hesitated. She knew. She knew this was wrong. The hurried tests, the signed conse

again. "My leg...

spered, pulling her arm free. As she turned to leave, her hand brushed the lock me

she was gon

nd. A bead of blood welled up and drip

the bed. The cast on my other leg felt like it was filled with lead. I used the

head, and listened. The guards were talking i

th. And I launched

and stumbled i

! Stop her!" one of

hopped, I half-ran, I dragged my casted leg across the polished floor. The i

destination. One

i

siping. The special patient, Mia, was

s next to the buttons. Useless. My eyes dar

the fire door and plunged

leg shaking with exhaustion. Each step was a mountain. Each flight

a plushly carpeted, silent hallway. At the far end, in

ned in recognition as I staggered toward the

hem started, but I didn'

he handles of the double doors. I thre

was so peaceful

ed in a perfect, unbroken spiral. On the bed, propped up by a mountain of pillows, was Mia. She looked

the picture of a terrified rabbit.

my crazed eyes, the blood on my gown-his han

for breath. The world was swimming

e words were torn

lie. An exc

t was an

et you out?" He took a step toward me, his voice a low growl. "You were seen

left m

nderstanding. It

icted me in his mind. I was t

world dissolving into static

rt more than any physical blow. Behind me, the hallway was filling up. The guards, nurses, even o

flesh like talons. He was going to drag me back

voice dropped to a venomous whisper that only I c

rled, his breath hot against my cheek. "Her kidney fa

ghtening until I thoug

we her