ought it to a complete stop. He was out and moving, crossing the wet asphalt in thre

agile shape in the middle of the street, her p

by another rainy night, another accident, another woman's broken body. Two years ago. The guilt, a cold and familiar serpent,

, forcing the mem

r face was deathly pale, except for the terrifying gash on her fo

hed so hard a

assistant, Thomas, said, appearing at hi

e of sterile gauze and pressed it firmly against the wound on Callie's head. His other hand m

h he didn't realiz

is voice a low, dangerous command. "I want their best trauma team prepp

ately stepped away, his

its lights painting the scene in strobing flashes of red and white

er hand. As they lifted her into the back of the ambulance, h

ts. The inside of the ambulance was a world of frantic, controlled activity. One paramedic w

didn't care. He held her cold, limp hand, his thumb stroking the back of it. Her skin was

hey whisked her away through a set of double doors marked 'E

haos of the ambulance. He looked down at his hands. Her blood was on his skin, under his fingernail

ch minute was a new form of tortur

pulling off his mask. It was Dr.

ussion and some deep lacerations, but the initial scans show no signs of a brain bleed. We'v

's entire body for hours finally released

id," he said, h

her to recover

said without hesitation. "Round-t

t nodded. "

d through the blinds of the hospital suite, falli

been split open with an axe. She slowly opened her eyes. T

rent places. There was a thick bandage wrapped around he

. It was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city.

ened with a

er car. He moved with a quiet, predatory grace that filled the large room, making it feel small. His f

he accident. The man

stood there, looking at her. His eyes were

u?" Callie whisper

ice was a low, deep rumble. "I was

She tried to push herself up, to sit properly, to thank him. A sharp, stabbing

d a hand on her shoulder, gently but fir

he could feel the warmth and strength of his hand. It was a st

ind racing. This room, the doctors... it must cost

m for argument. He straightened up, his hand falling away f

eed to rest

oward the door. His du

he doorknob, then pa

ve. Then, he spoke, his voice s

't deser

range, so personal. They weren't the words of a kind stranger.

r voice a faint whisp

door and walked out, leaving her alone in the silent, luxuri

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