e chilled evening air, though the fire in his chest burned hotter than any mountain wind he'd endured in his years of secluded apprenticeship. He glanced once mo

rned

been patched with duct tape and stickers, and when he flipped it open, the screen flickered like a

is late?" The old man's voice crackled over the line.

genuine. "Master... they broke the engagement. Called my parents nobodies. Said

an any words. Then came the slow, low voice G

as your father who saved that family from collapse. And now they toss you aside l

the dim streetlight. "I want to rise above them. I wan

next month. A big one. Every so-called genius from across the northern states will be there. Win it, and you'll get the title of Miracle Healer

his voice firm as bedro

mountain hermit. The entry fee is a cool one million. You'll need to raise it yoursel

ead before Grah

phone back in his pocket. One million dollars. And he had

," he mutter

n his wallet, Graham wandered down a dim alley until he spo

th smeared lipstick and a leopard-print robe sat watching reruns

she asked with

st

. Stairs on the left.

bored flick. Graham caught it midair and of

any sins, and a drafty window with curtains that smelled faintly of mothballs. But to

ts, and collapsed onto the bed in just his shorts. Just

r creak

ted up

She was wearing a hoodie and leggings, her hair tied in a loose bun. She shut the door quietly b

Hey-HEY! What are you d

espo

e approached the bed like she owned it, like she knew exactly what

A very pure man, mind you. I've never... well, not li

no a

is bare chest, Graham's brain short-circuited. Her skin was soft, imposs

ewo

, about the one million dollars. All he could think was: So this is what kissin

ame th

downstairs. Then another.

arge in here! I'l

for someone!"

held hi

or flung open down the hallway, accompanied by

rst open. The li

they saw the scene: Graham shirtless, a gorgeous half-nak

s on the back of the head. "Idiots

e gone i

slammed s

ted dressing in a hurry. Her cheeks were

nd his waist. "Where are you going? You-you

ed, and stared.

es

es. "Unbelievable

s pro

sed. "Well, I can't go back out there. I have no mon

ked. "What

Killed their boss. They were the security detail

ham swallowed.

lly. "You know, the kind that dr

ace p

ion. "Relax, I didn't stea

et

finger down his chest. "

h the sheet like a scandalized Victoria

. "Ten thou

ha

intact. And so I don't tell the

e muttered, holding

lint, and tossed it aside. "You're broke.

une-teller. A martial arti

up. "So you k

der him for s

on. She sat up strai

er

shivered again. That

she said sweetly, "you and I are go

oaned. "W

beside him, propped her hea

le

, she turned

art pounding in his chest. What