ght on the third floor buzzed like an angry hornet. Her lungs burned

single lamp glowed weakl

When he saw her, he rushed forward. His h

not take his pills. He says t

fa. The heavy thud of the cash hidd

straight to

acked open. She

of old ash. His chest rose and fell in shallow, rattling gasps. On the nigh

Guilt flashed in his sunken eyes, but his jaw set in a stubborn

f the bed. She dropped to he

took his hand. His

her voice cracking.

"I am fine here," he rasped. "The hospital i

pleaded, squeezing his cold fin

f her grip. The rejection fe

for a dying man," Walter said firmly. "If

swallowing glass. She knew that stubborn tone.

her purse in the other room. But she could not tell him she took

against her ribs. "I went on a date tonigh

look at her. His gray eyebrow

"Who is he? Why would a

to lie, but her phone b

t up the screen from the number on t

partment tomorrow morning. Do n

n cold. How did he know her apartment numb

back at h

s tasting like ash on her tongue. "He works for a foundati

er face for the truth. "There is

you tomorrow," Emaline begg

ned face. His shoulders sagged into the m

She stood up, kissed his foreh

o go in and make sure

ted fire escape balcony. The freezing

number from t

he first ring. His v

ress?" Emaline demanded, keepi

"The car service driver put it in the G

t sense, but it did not set

ng the cold iron railing. "I need to know t

or sees him," Cullen replied

ne wen

the outline of the thick wad of cash through the fabric of her purs

Cullen Preston wanted, she