the hospital corridor bu

er arms wrapped tightly around her chest. Wal

hite wall, his hands in his pockets. He did not hover, but his presence w

f the room holding a

signature on the admissio

n, but her hands were shak

e pen, handed it to her, and placed his large han

sharp breath, her skin burning at the contact. Cullen

e last page, her cell phon

e flashing on the screen made

y Ha

woman who was now sleeping w

button, but a sick sense of dread forced her

ine asked, her voice dro

he hospital," Kitty's voice dripped wit

plastic casing of her phone.

now, I felt so bad when I ran into him at the clinic last week. I s

m the hallway. Emali

tell him?" Ema

ments were a waste of your money and that he was bleeding you dry. And

it Emaline so hard

gave up. Kitty had murdere

hone. People in the hallway turned to stare,

ct. "You are a poor, miserable loser. Kendall and I are getting

e click

e slipped from her hand and cl

in her hands and violently spread to her

before she

in one stride. He grabbed her arms,

is voice a fierce rumble ag

ine

an ugly, agonizing sound. She gripped the lapels of his coat, twis

rmth and cedarwood. He rested his chin on the top of her head

, her tears soaking through his shirt. "Kitty t

les in Cullen's c

he back of her head, his f

d. The words were quiet, but t

e. His jaw was clenched so tight a muscle ticked in

d. "She is Kendall Britt's f

wiped a tear from he

e is," Cullen said softly. "She

in her chest. No one had ever defended her like this. No one

s, and for the first time, s