ional and calm. "Miss, don't be alarmed," he s

e felt her trembling and loosened his hold, t

ise said to Ian, his attempt at a casual to

k a step back, creating a space between he

ntiseptic wipes and a small jar of ointment. He began to cle

tching in silence. The hard line of his j

light as he worked. "But whoever did this was

" Blaise said,

ng the area and handed a small pot of cream to Blaise. "Th

you need anything. And make sure your... guest gets s

and saw him to

ain, the air thick with an

ring at her hands, mortifie

of ointment in his hand. He crou

," she said, her vo

into the clear gel and tilted her c

over her bruised skin. The sensation was a strange mix of soothing relie

time. His eyelashes were long, his focus intense. The us

ng a little too fast. S

tment on the coffee table. "Mor

ulled out the silver bracelet. He placed it

losing around the familiar, cool metal. She held it

you," she

ed by her gratitude.

e said, gesturing down a hall. "G

ar and her bracelet, she walked

e since Lily's death, she sle

. On the kitchen counter was a plate of toast and a pie

lings swirling inside her. She ate the breakfast, c

funeral home. She had to make arrangements for

parents' neighborhood. She needed her ID

d onto their stre

dercloud. He had obviously figured out where she might g

d been

tant, his hand clamping down on her arm. "Get in the car,"