rubbed alcohol clawed at Isabel'

g tore through her mind in an endless rhythmic loop. Her body felt impossibly heavy anchored down by a deep t

nt in the city nor was it the sterile drop tile ceiling of a public hospital. It was made of massive hand carved

e of agony flared through her chest

the window. You have two cracked ribs and a severe concussion

ly her vision blurring befo

e sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing dark ink tracing up his skin. His dark hair was meticulously combed back highlighting a hard angular

ged to rasp out her throat dr

berate steps toward the foot of her bed. He walked with the flu

linding storm the slick mountain road the blinding halo of white headl

dage was wrapped securely around her ribcage beneath the fabric. An IV line was taped to

the realization settled in. She looked up her

The storm caused my vehicle to lose traction on the descent You stepped o

ght. I was running I was trying to find She stopped abruptly her hand flying to h

nsion entered his shoulders. He pulled a heavy leather armchair up

n that road Isab

shiver down her spine. How do you know my

h with practiced ease. Isabel Rojas. Twenty two years old. A student

despite the pain her breath coming in fast panicked shallow bursts. My brother, San

t heave against the tight bindings. The mention of Santiago's name

Matteo stated quietly. And as for the

r pain. Why? Why wouldn't you take me

lack basic surgical supplies the staff is overworked and you would have waited four hours on a gurney in a hallway while your chest cavity filled with fluid. I

had saved her life. Everything about him screamed danger the tailored luxury of his clothing the silent m

ked, her voice bare

, he said simply.

ghts worrying about her brother's mysterious absences. She didn't know the dark political hierarchy of the city

y strain of exhaustion creeping back into her limbs. But I need

his voice dropping into an authoritative tone that demanded compliance. You will stay here u

se, Isabel protested trying to swing

ve of vertigo struck her. The room spun wildly and her s

hit the floor M

pulled her flush against his chest lifting her back onto the bed. For a brief suspended second Isabel was pressed

the subtle gold flecks surrounding his dark pupils and the int

abel he murmured his voice low

ildly against her ribs not just from pain but from the o

b brushing over her cheek in a gesture that was shockingly tender

ble doors of the bedroom. He paused with his hand on the

l bring you food and your medicatio

her voice rising in alar

out of the room and pulled the he

distinct, chilling sound echo

ic

locked from

light of the luxurious bedroom suddenly feeling le