as fading fast. Every time her heart beat, a wave of fire pulsed throu

. Freeman Morales walked in

sked, his voice gentle. He clicked the

edge of the thin blanket and dragged herself ba

extreme flinching. H

. "I need to ask you about your old injuries. Th

ashed behind Jane's eyes. The smell of b

ead rapidly, refusing to speak. She knew Carson controlled th

outh to try again, but the heav

nce sucked all the oxygen out of the s

piked. The heart monitor beside the bed s

then looked at Freeman. He ti

ace. But Carson's stare left no room for argument. Fr

the latch sounded l

of the bed. He looked down

son sneered. "I guess cockroa

as trapped. This room was just a c

blankets off. She grabbed the IV line taped

onto the pristine white sheets. She didn't care. She sw

the floor, her weak knees b

hospital gown and yanked her upward. He slammed her back agains

rson growled right against her

er scraped against the fresh wounds on h

him with absolute desperation. "P

of her dirty coat, which had been tossed

blood-stained dollar bills-

she held the pathetic amount

bed, her voice breaking. "Take

r money. Instead of pity, a bli

ut of Blaire's suffering with pocke

er wrist hard. The dollar bills scattere

is long fingers around her throat.

ingle cent," Carson spat,

officer?" Carson added, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "My assistant already handled him.

t tiny spark of hope inside he

ick sense of victory washed over him, followed in

dkerchief from his pocket and wiped his finge

nd a corner of this earth to hide in. Your name is already poison. You step out of line, and I'll ensure

he wall, collapsing into a heap on the