heavy velvet drapes, slicing the

e looked at herself in the mirror. Dark circles bruised the skin unde

ain room, she hea

ning, swe

an.

leaning against the doorframe, blocking the

wake up. We both know that. You're a smart girl. You signed a prenup

ed for h

ack. She held up

resse

Julian's voice filled the r

is face went gr

d for th

rrored the file to a remote server via the hospital's guest network. If I don't punc

ands curled into fist

st, remember? That's what Howard told you. D

. The lust in his eyes was gone, rep

e spat. He turned and sla

nees felt weak. She wasn't afraid of Julian phys

morning muscle massages. It was cru

aced her hands on Lucas's biceps

felt a tremor

look

eyes w

, and they were staring directly at her. Th

are

ruin-gravel an

er, his hand shot up.

inactivity-but his technique was flawless. He twisted her ra

sped, trying

. He yanked, his body shaking with

the bed, landi

his other hand wa

her skin, weak and fluttery

d, his eyes burning. "Ar

he accident. He thought h

e used a pressure point strike to his ulnar nerve to disabl

... wife," s

owed. "Wife? I do

. Ster

r. Lucas's grip loosened slightly, but h

Howard's daughter? That s

his thumb moved off her windpipe. "Just like... h

g for deception. He saw the fear in her eyes (ge

y to the mattress. His chest heaved as he gasped for air,

ater," he

ed. She rubbed her neck

om the pitcher, her hands shak

y, water spillin

The aggression was dampened by exh

d, his voice fading as sleep dragged him back d

yes c

ing the empty glass.

," she said to