ays prided hims

e detail of his meticulously guarded life. But Vera Stanford... wa

e had to remind himself that she worked for him now. That touching her aga

she made

oo focused. As if she were keeping something locked tight behind those p

he noticed

h when she thought no one was watching. And when he offered her co

ow?" he asked, stu

s been making me

Fatigue.

nd sha

you s

. "Just stress. New job. N

knew it. Felt it. Sh

a stayed behind to finish a report. Michael had a meeting that ran lat

ending to check-in.

und froze him

ge tightly, the other on her stomach. Her face was pale

a voice suddenly

ried to straight

ing toward her. "You look li

st ne

finish the sentence

adling her against his chest like she weighed no

c. "Please, no hospital. I'll be okay

esit

. Not of pain, not of passing out bu

truth slammed into

preg

ht, but he didn

t

arden instead quiet, secluded, and breezy. He sat with

im, eyes closed,

ence, she whispe

r w

complicated th

eek. "I've handled cartels and assass

soft, breat

t was now hanging in the air

k

starting t

rm was