her skin. He wasn't sneering anymore. His li

dn't continue undressing, eit

e lapels of hi

ned. "What ar

ion," Elsi

off guard by her strength. They were chest to che

his chest, flatten

ump. Thu

ong. Stead

up into his eyes. "For a heart th

ake. He had let her get too close. He had let he

He grabbed her shoulder

t o

ved he

e of the heavy oak desk. Pain exploded in her sid

ncing form. Horror flashed across his face. He took

He couldn't be the husband who checked

wall as he gasped for air, clutching his chest. "Clause Four," he choked

him leaning against the wall, pale and sweating.

din lied, his voice ragged. "St

ng. Her eyes were wet, but

him. Really

reathlessly. "You're not just

he desk. The check he had

icked

think of your m

Then in quarters. She threw th

I signed a contract. And unlike you, I keep my word. I'll

nd limped ou

door slammed, the sound echoed l

ds. His heart-his perfectly healthy, surgically repaired

," he w

hifted. Silas stepped out. He had been

essy," Silas o

his voice ragged. "She felt it,

esn't know about Zurich. But you have to be more careful. If you shove h

rdin said, looking at the torn p

ark web. Jed is looking for leverage. If we push her away, she becomes a

the door where

s me," Ha

ate is safer than love

he ceiling. Her hip throbbed. A bruise was alrea

chin. The house was quiet, bu

No messages from Jed. The

was a text

Is he a c

He's a nightmare

elete

: He's ju

sent

she felt the phantom sensation of Hardin's heartbeat against her

-