tching as Jarrod Romero walked toward a black SUV parked at the curb. He moved stiffly, his

and turned back to l

blinked

e." His voice was calm,

e. "Why? Where

ches away. He was so tall she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. Up close, she c

el at your throat. You were pushed down a flight of stairs. And now you were as

uracy of his summary. "How d

ability to yourself right now. You are exhausted, you are injured, and you ar

d. "I don't need a babys

. "You are one bad decision away from getting yo

nerve. Caroline's eyes stung. S

. My mother will just... she won't understand. S

again, his voice was softer, though no less c

up at him, sta

o worry about who is going to attack you next." He held out his

ty-four hours. The assassin, the fall, the way he had wrapped his body around hers to protect her from

ow who wasn't trying to control her or use

out and to

d her to the SUV, opening the back door for her. She

y as he settled into the seat. The driver, K.C. Bell, didn't s

ow, watching the city lights slide past. The car was warm and q

g?" she asked agai

e," Rome

s snapped open

her. "It has a security system, and my

priate," she said, though she

ay eyes were unreadable in the dim light of the car.

wouldn't come. She was too tired. Too broken. Sh

she wh

turned back

tment building in the West End. Bell parked in a reserved s

ng lightly on the small of her back. It was a prote

ern, all glass and steel, with a stunning view of the city skyline. But it was also sparse, almost sterile. T

said, gesturin

d into the kitchen, moving one-handed, and came back a min

the plate on the coffe

heat. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She

atching her eat. He didn't say anything, but his p

of water. The food and the warmth were making her even sleepier. Sh

he murmured. "

thank me," he sai

ot opening her eyes. "Why did you

d him shift in his chair, a soft

aid finally. "I pr

ed at him, confused. "I'm not yo

ou are under my command. You are unde

ith meaning. Caroline felt a shiver run down h

rstand you,"

guest room is down the hall, second door on the left. There are clot

room, pausing at the door. "Lock the door.

the door clickin

sed door. Her mind was racing, but her body was shutting down

ft and the sheets were clean. She changed into a pair of oversized t-shirt and sw

ht about the assassin, about Preston, about her mother

are m

to sleep, she couldn't deny the tiny spark of warmth that had