50

the gas dial. A hiss filled the s

er, and draped it over the burners, crea

e bathroom, countin

rd footsteps on

h. She walked to t

ked. The door

oor open, Arla flicked t

O

xplosion, but the force blew the wet towel acros

ng the tray. She stumbled

her shoulder and rammed into the w

spri

rred frame across her cheeks and forehead, obscuring her features. The cool grass felt w

o wail. Real o

house, the m

gne in his hand. He heard the boom. He saw t

poke into his earpiece. "Targ

n a table. "Do not shoot," he s

urning. She could h

nees. Ahead of her lay the ornamental pond

hind.The Doberman clamped its jaws onto

smooth river stone. She swung it back

yelped a

ht converged on her. Four guards

y do

water, shivering violently. S

smirk playing on her red lips as she glanced at the filthy, soot-streaked creature being dragged from t

He had taken off his tuxedo jacket. His

He didn't care about hi

ay from her. His fac

r burn to death?

he was shaking, but she

bed a handful of her wet hair and yanked her head b

be nice,"

the water. He didn't

ordered. "No food. No wa

ds haule

an laughed, sipping her wine. "Good

Arla away int