iding to leave, Nina was packin

. Blackwell was injured in a shootout last night. He took a bullet in his

ngers

felt, or how dangerous the situation might be, the moment he

he contract a

oward the east wing of the main building, Julian's private bed

eached the doo

htly ajar, leavin

ghter. "Julian, don't move! It's g

d, laced with amusement. "Be gen

she had been str

id it

he treated for him ov

esh, he would bite down on a

e was visible, he could still sm

s, he once held her hand and sa

e shown weakness

"that hurts" carried a tone a

n a silk nightdress, her long hair falling loosely over her shoulders as she

er with gentle eyes. He even lifted a hand to b

, almost like a sigh.

ghtly. "I'm sorry for ma

pressed it against his chest. "As long a

dug her nails deep into her pa

ly loved, warmth in his eyes so deep it see

ly, yet she remained rooted to the

something, Aria turned s

ough Aria's gaze. Then she deliberately leaned f

id playfully. "You'l

chuckled and wrapped an arm around he

stand there. She turn

ace silently, but she wi

dical kit heavily onto the table. Th

Julian burned with a fever and fell unconscious. Sh

was a faint, "Thank you

shown such vulnerabi

, in the east

eadboard, his shoulder woun

reported quietly. "Mr. Blackwell

e holding his glass of wate

dn't knock, then left." The bodyguard

im of the cup. "She's always been sensitive. With

d said hesitantly. "I heard she even booked a

older. "Impossible. She's loved me for ten yea

, the baby must be delivered by someone we trust completely. Nina is an

ted to say something, but in the

window. The sunlight

ld remain by his sid

that even a shadow could

vitation. "Ms. Avery, tomorrow is the Blackwell family's Spring Banquet. Mr. Edm

itation. Her fing