heard. A steady, rhythmic pulse th

ly by the glow of medical monitors. She was in a

documents on his lap. His tie was loosened, his jaw shadowed with stubble, and dar

e papers. He was at her side in a second

s croaked, he

p of water from the pitcher on the nightstand. He slipped a s

e took a deep breath, wincing at the

id, his voice rough. "It ru

her phone buzzed on the nightst

ld, the softness from a moment ago vanishing.

she needed to hear his voice. She needed to

wer, pressing the

I've been calling you for hours. I need you at the Whitmo

do with the anesthesia. He didn't ask if she was

," she w

his tone dripping with entitlement. "I'm no

udden wave of heat washed over her body. The room spun, the edges of her visio

yes rolling back a

end-call button with enough force to make the plastic creak. He then calmly placed it fac

piking!" he yelled at

or called it a postoperative absorption fever. They pack

the ice packs wasn't a

n it over her burning forehead, down her neck, and across her wrists. He did it over and over

ivering under the cold cloths. She mumbled in her delir

inches from hers. His jaw was clench

e whispered, his voice br

in. Amy. Only one person had ever calle

tried to open her eyes, to find the sou

up, her body weak but her mind clear. The room was qui

, his breathing deep and even. He still wore the same clothes, his ha

ng in her chest. She reached for her phone on

Elijah. Ten of them. The war

is name, and hit "Block." It was done with a finality that

reign on her tongue. It had to be a dream. A

it again-that raw, desperate look from the office. But in the blink of an e

g?" he asked, his v

is face for any crack in the armo

ed up the water pitcher and poured her a glass. "You

iving nothing away. The mystery hung in t