plummeted tow

f thick, muscular arms wrapped securely around her waist from behind.

cket. The sharp, masculine scent of cedarwood mixed with dark tobacco filled

back. She met a pair of

n Phi

ead, casting a shadow over his sharp jawline. A cynical, laz

his knees, scooped one arm under her thighs

e titanium prosthetic shifted viole

l and loose silicone vibrated again

She instinctively grabbed a fistful of Daxton's le

within his blue eyes. He felt the unnatural, rigid weight of her left leg resting against his forearm, a bru

ed his grip, pulling her left side tighter against his

weak but frantic. "If the paparazzi cat

He leaned his head down, his lips b

ble, Emaline," Daxton murmured, his breath warm against her sk

th long, silent strides. He moved with the fluid, calculated grace o

ried her inside, and used his heel to slam th

eness. He reached over, grabbed a thick pillow, and carefully slid it under her

high. She pulled the hospital blanket up to her waist,

s back to her, walked over to the water dispenser in the c

he handed her the cup, his b

ngers were already blooming across her pal

playboy facade cracked, revealing something deeply dangerous underneath. B

lently that the warm water sloshed over the rim, spilling

ingers, and brought it to her lips. He tilted it slowly, forcing her to drink. The g

g her raw throat. She leaned back ag

"The AB-negative blood... the sudden reversal

ning back in the chair beside her

tricted donor reserves while I held a financial gun to th

ard is a federal felony in New York. If the feds tr

red. "What's a little felony for my

shing over her. "Stop playing games, Daxton. I d

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his

e every single credit card attached to your name. Your checking accounts, your e

ayton wasn't just trying to divorce her; he was trying to starv

is pocket. He tapped the scree

ed in bold black letters: CALDWELL CEO RUSHES TO BEDSIDE OF I

East Side penthouse, using his own suit jacket to shield Crista from the rain as he gui

her throat. The phantom pain in her amputate

d her entire frame. Her teeth chattered. The PTSD from the asylum, combined wi

pped the phone and grabbed her shoulde

athe," he commanded, his

eyes rolled back, the room spinni

axton's wrist like a drowning woman grabbing a lifeline.