over Manhattan turned

g toward the grand wrought iron gates of Carlisle Private Mano

armed private security guards, wearing ta

slowly opened with a h

place among the fleet of blac

t the entrance. He didn't speak, merely gesturing for her to follow him. He escorted

tor doors

lished black marble. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a dizzying, panoramic

on planner tightly to her chest, us

eared down a hallway, leaving her co

rsh sound brok

ck.

vy, sickening thud of flesh hitting thick leather. T

walked quietly down the corridor, following the violent sounds tow

doors open and

in absol

artial arts training room. The floor was covered in bla

of the room was a

bright overhead halogen lights. He was wearing black hand wraps that went halfway up his forearms. His back wa

the ring was fiv

flushed red, and a dark purple bruise was now deepening on his left cheek-the belated, surfaci

arsh, unforgiving command.

and threw a weak, exhausted

ll glove with his forearm. In the same fluid moti

m. He crashed hard onto the canvas m

exploded. The professional b

ack. She sprinted across the room, grabbed the elastic rop

an and the fallen child. She dropped to her knees, shielding Colten's

d fist stopped mere inches from Elaine's face. The sheer kinetic

ou insane? !" she screamed, her voice echoing off the high c

e surprise, before rapidly darkening into a dangerous, intense mix of fa

t his teacher, his dark eyes wide with a sudden, profound s

He wiped sweat from his forehead with the bulky glove. "I

boy, realizing with a sinking heart the complex, deeply

ally wiped the heavy sweat from his neck and chest. His abdominal muscles rippl

an ordered, his voice fla

gh the ropes. He ran out of the room, the heavy oak door

tirely alone with

ned toward her. He took a slow, predatory step forwar

t the thick, elastic ropes of the boxing rin

ms, placing his wrapped hands on the top rope on

le sweat, leather, and pure adrenaline flooded

amian whispered, his voice a dark, gravelly purr. A wicked, deva

nger warred violently with the undeniable, deep-s