e. He knew exactly how to apply it

minder of the death she had just escaped. She couldn'

o. A jagged cut ran along his left ribs.

whisper. "You're bleeding out. If you don't comp

t change, but a flicker of something-annoya

opening s

haking finger toward the emergency box

sounded against the corridor door. Th

led voice called out. Th

then back at her. His men by the door straigh

scene will bring everyone

ist. It was a gamb

m toward the

scrambled in beside him. She yanked the sheet up to their chins, then messily pulled the

light cut through the dim room, sweeping

a scr

entitlement she had learned from watching her ste

bs, the bare shoulders, the suggestion of intima

the guard stammered, averting hi

ed, throwing a pillow at the door.

way, face red. "So

r click

to the room, heav

st the mattress. Her heart was hammeri

bject was pressed

ente's phone. He had an article displayed on the screen: a

id of gratitude. "But that doesn't tell me

adying. She pushed the phone away with two fingers. It was i

nte watched her every move. He didn't flinch when she cleaned the wo

ast life, she had treated her own injuries to avoid

Clemente noted, watchin

She packed the kit away. "You sho

b brushed over the ruby signet ring on her finger.

pul

nd back, but his grip was unyieldi

t. "And insurance. You know I was here. You know I was

Cleora said, anger fin

moved to the desk and scribbled a number on a n

, looking back at her. His expression was ca

o a near whisper. "In my world, there are no coin

with the silent grace of a shadow, leaving her alone with the li