face, the natural authority in his posture was impossible to mi

gh that shook his body. Yet even in that weakened state, his ey

had come b

ilence instantly b

lies stood rigid, their expres

being a widow for the rest of her life, yet now

ping forward and gently t

s of his muscles, the heat of his skin, and a

despite her many attempts to set him up, anyone who tried to get close to him had

na indifferently and, instead

wn, while Alina instinctively moved

said, her voice trembling. Then she turned abruptly toward Alina, her expression softening with gr

ps. "He's still weak. Let's take him

e," Pamela res

away without once looking back at

, his face pale and his chest

ellan was alive-elevating her to the position of a member of a powerf

hard, her heart bo

she believed Kellan was dead. Now that he's awake, do you really think they

.

p and reported respectfully, "Mr. Gilbert is no longer in danger

ed at her son. "Kellan, this is wonderful. You ow

a, Pamela said, "I'm trusting you

," Alina ans

Alina closely, his expre

led Kellan back to his roo

a direct reflection

lcoming, with a dark, oppressive luxury th

before turning away to p

silence, edged with something dang

a blade. It wasn't cur

t respond i

aced the wate

cked on her, unblinking, as though he were try

nly, showing neither su

o calmly before. A woman willing to marry a "dead man" and a

ached up and to

led underneath

s, his features severely dis

screamed or instinctive

h such a face would be enou

intentional

t in her eyes. Sho

ld have been a reactio

in and, before he could interpret her expression