ie

e-hot agony that felt like someone was slow

head, a harsh, sterile rhythm that clashed with the darkness creeping

e times. Each time, it w

Marcus. Leave

o. I knew exactly where he was. Chloe had told me. Izzy

attack o

ning consent forms for emergency surger

I turned my head, hoping against logic

rial service, the pew next to me was empt

s. They smel

, and realized the truth with a heavy, sinking finality: I was

me the

tal box at the Thorne Enterprises headquarters. I was there to hand-deliver th

e cable

am. Just a sickening lurch, the ear-splitting screech of

ncy brakes kicked in. The impact threw us

oded behind my eyes. My leg twisted at an unna

d, the world spinni

er voice was shrill, pierc

ing panel had fallen on my ankle. I gasped, cho

," I whispered. It

rambling to his feet, disregarding the

't look

uddled in the corner, not a s

his voice thick with pa

, checking her face, her hands,

ned. It slipped a

said, loud

r a second, o

od on my face. The debris pinning my le

aw him look

, Izzy,"

d his ba

zzy tight, whispering reassurances to her whi

ried the doors ope

ried Izzy

e light of the hallway. He didn't

ll beating, my lungs were still gasping for air. But the Ell

y pulled me out,

black sheep of the Rossi family. But he was standing there, his

" Julian demanded, gra

he other lady,"

in his cheek. He looked at me. His eyes were s

softly, taking my ha

xcruciating, but it was nothing compared

. I didn't a

pital room, the sun was s

the chair. He looked

asked. My voice w

... he's checking on Iz

ng sound. *Shaken up.* I had a

awyer, Juli

owly. "I kno

, the doo

still had dried blood on his forehead. He loo

aid. He took

him. And I felt... nothing. No anger

ut," I

"Ellie,

t.

s footsteps hesitate, then r

finall