snapped the last stri

burning her flushed cheeks. She

roat felt like it was lined with

on of a second of

ta

. Then the li

. She didn't know if he was actually c

to lock the door. She dragged her feet across the t

uld touch the brass l

r pushe

re two men. They smelled of stale

back to that sickening, sugary pitch. "These gentlemen ar

yes raked over Clare's flushed skin and tr

er spine hit the edg

made her dizzy, but her hatred w

into a sneer. "So what if I did? You perfect lit

a thick, dirty hand toward Clare's bare arm. "Don't be sca

d her mouth

crash shatte

It was kicked off its hinges. It slammed

on stepped i

w coat. Behind him stood four men in dark su

the room. His jaw was locked. His dark eyes swep

s chest, trying to hide his sudden terror. "W

speak. He did

raised o

han three seconds, both thugs were face-down on the carpet. The sickening crunc

ut, and she collapsed against the

bodies on the floor.

ward the corner where

, colder, and infinitely more dangerous. The sheer ph

in front of her.

e stripped off hi

heavy wool was still warm from his body. It

oss her chest, hiding her exposed skin from the world. T

and terror. But the moment his scent hit he

the other under her knees. He stood up, l

. She could hear the slow, steady,

or. He didn't look down at t

p walking. He simply turned his hea

e. "Defamation. Aggravated assault. Attempted rape. Ha

on family..." She slumped completely to the

. The cold night air hit her face, bu

ch was idling

urthur placed her gently onto the leat

e driver in the

te clinic," Aurth

street was instantly silenced. The Maybach g