ss of water sitting on the bedside table. A small courtesy Arthur must have left. S

softening and warping like she was underwater. The steady beep of the medical monitors stretched into a low, droning pulse. Warmth spread throu

om and collapsed onto the cushions. The world dissolved

sed in the

o was supposed to be a veget

fluid and powerful. His first glance wasn't at the machines but at the woman sleeping on the sofa. He saw her

a discreet button. A section of the ornate bookshelf s

said, voice

ter. Arthur entered, carry

ir

ofa and gently draped

his back that still tingled from her

e background information from the

mate daughter of Richard Hale. Raised

laugh. "A reclusive girl from the mountains

ld dose, sir," Arthur added. "Just enoug

in the file: Kerry Hale. His expression har

eting with board members, trying to consolidate power. Sending Miss Curtis here

ned daughter.'" He thought for a moment. "Continue to observe her. Don't i

Mr. R

id, a cold smile touching his lips. "You can't ca

nce softened. He remembered the feeling of her hands on his skin. The warmth. The unnerving precision. A stran

handle a few things," he told