ley

car. He tore out of the driveway and wove through Manhattan traff

rner of my eye I saw his knuckles white against the wheel, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He k

. He kicked the door open and bolted inside before the valet could r

Eleanor Carlisle, in a mink stole beside his father, Harrison. Next to them stood Candice in a silk cocktail dress,

elled with tears. Ignoring her own husband, sh

red! Grandpa Theodo

ted his hands and patted he

ngel stood by the wall rubbing his forehead, watching his wife cli

ighting for his life, Candice w

e twisted in disgust. "What are you doing here?" she hiss

. Candice grabbed his sleeve. "Beck, don't. Aunt

or's heavily made-up eyes. "

e, though she could not find a si

ve the resuscitation bay clicked off. A surgeon stepped

usted. "We're moving him up to the ICU for close obse

kett swayed, bracing himself against the wall. Candice was on h

nto her, he pulled his arm free, step

e, looking down. "Thank you," h

s thanking me for riding here with him or for stan

I said, as flat as if I w

leneck, noticing I had left my coat in his car. "Are you

ainst that fabric made my skin crawl. Before the wool could touch my

. I'm no

turned and walked down the corrido

olding open his tuxedo jacket beneath

I could feel the heavy, suffocating w

ed while everyone else fell to pieces. He had come over intending to t

ng myself to accept anything from him, not even a simple coat. The scent clingi

cket right out of his stiff grasp, sliding it back over his shoulders.

hospitals, Beck. Don't take it to