d him, a nervous circle of pedestrians murmured, their faces tense as they watched his condition rapidly deteriorate. His square-jawed bo

er the crowd. She clutched Graham Marcus's

na get involved? This is someone's life we're talk

ow at her. "Thanks

turns into a legal disaster, I've go

e swinging at his side. He was nearly at the old man when the square-jawed b

the man growled, his v

ked on the old man's trembling form. "If you don't

eyes. "You? Aren't you the

a life is more important than building a seven-story cathedral. But he also taught

er lips twitching with a grin. "Nice

stirred, his eyes fluttering open. His voice was b

tly named Aaron-looke

old man raspe

d aside re

o fingers gently against the man's pulse point. "Late-stage cold-in

Aaron a dirty look. "Still wanna

enched but he

r the contents of his case.

ked. "You

iquor. Vodka. Moonshine. Whatever. Strong alcoh

ted for a se

linebacker legs before h

y bolted tow

re rows of thin silver needles, gleaming like instruments of divine p

Juque points. Gentle rotation. Two rounds. Then

d held i

ed, panting, with a tall bo

e hand, and handed it to Blair. "Three

nked. "Wa

plain to his ghost wh

ated position. She tilted the bottle and carefully poured the liquor into his mout

, his cheeks flu

ly crap. That ac

d through th

ou see

guy a rea

That's nuts-b

some scam artis

old man's coat, and said calmly, "I'll administer two

es widened. "Thr

eady. "It'll reach th

, the old man nodd

into his chest-one at the Tanzhong point, one at the Juque point. He

once, then exhaled deeply. The color in his face deepene

s, the frail, gasping e

erupted in

s cu

lieva

better than

and amusement. "You just brought a dude back from t

ith a smirk. "The mira

ng in his eyes. "Young man... you saved my

ry will take time. And you should stop drinking cold te

d softly. "You eve

od awkwardly, clearly

But next time, listen to your gut. And

a smug grin. "A

ed back to Graham. "I

am Ma

yes thoughtfully. "And you

ther. Charl

yebrows shot up. "The Charles Marcus? Of th

ily, and the one who taught me never to t

h new respect. "Incredible.

t, like *the* Charles Marcus

But he'd be pleased to kn

? My name is Walter Hargrove. My family controls the Hargrove Foundation. If you

"I didn't trea

r it gra

ting toward Blair-who w

id, "Let me th

u know where to find me. Aaron-

this time with a respe

crowd slowly dispersed, still murmuring

ell... look at you. Saving billionaires and g

ed. "Don't c

"But you *are

re, a voice cut throug

said behind them. "Ar

otel clerk stood behind

r blurted the first th

my u

le

in slow motion, his

smile

leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Uncle?