He pressed a hand to his chest, grimacing. "I get the feeling Ms. Winslet''s got it

out for Sylvia and her mom. You should probably keep your guard up."

It was the kind ofment that sounded like it said a lot, but actually said nothing.

This, at least, wasn''t breaking his promise to Sylvia.

"Yeah."

Rupert lowered his gaze, staring at his cigarette with something left unsaid.

Chris caught on immediately, grinning as he stepped closer. "You sure you don''t wanna get checked out at the ER?"

"Nope."

Chris snorted. "Serves you right, honestly."

He slung his med kit over his shoulder and strode out.

As thest ember of his cigarette dimmed, the room slipped into silence, and Rupert was left alone with his thoughts.

A few minutester, Reese knocked gently and entered, carrying a fresh mug of tea.

"Dr. Chris already left?"

Rupert stubbed out his smoke and took the tea from her. "Yeah."

Reese''s eyes flicked over his back, and her heart squeezed. She fidgeted with her fingers, trying to steady herself.

"Mr. Rupert, why''d you take those nineshes for Sylvia?"

"She''s Edwin''s stepdaughter." Rupert''s face was nk, as if taking a beating was just another Tuesday.

"Oh, I see."

Reese smiled, letting out a breath she didn''t realize she''d been holding.

She nced at the clock. "Since we missed dinner at the Bluebird Bistro, I had

the staff whip up something simple. Come eat with me?"

"Sure."

Reese reached out, ready to help him up.

He slipped on his jacket, dodging her hand with casual ease.

She bit her lip, but still followed him down the stairs.

At the dining table, the staff brought out thest dish.

Reese eyed it with curiosity. "Is that...chicken pot pie?"

"The kitchen said Mr. Rupert stocked up on them and never touched them, so they figured tonight was the night," one of the staff exined, dishing out generous portions of the pie.

Reese epted the serving spoon. "I''ve got it, thanks. You all can take a break."

The staff nodded and slipped away.

Rupert stared at the chicken pot pie in front of him and didn''t make a move.

"This is actually really good," Reese said, after her first bite, genuinely impressed.

Rupert blinked, suddenly looking across the table as if he''d seen a ghost.

He remembered someone who used

to devour two helpings of chicken

pot pie

the dish

sometimes

Sometimes even guarding with

like a dog with a bone.

s

He looked back at Reese and let out a soft, unexpectedugh.

Reese stared, a little star-struck. So this ice-cold man could smile and look this good doing it?

But...what was so funny?

Feeling a little self-conscious, Reese wiped her mouth. "Am I eating like a slob?"

Rupert''s smile vanished in an

instant, his features cool and

Orson, then stood. "I''ve got somet

things to take care of. Make sure you take your meds and get some rest."  s

SWI

"You''re still hurt-do you really have to go out now?" Reese pressed.

"I''ll be back."

His tone was distant, almost detached.

Reese watched him go, her expression conflicted.

...

Hospital.

Rupert stopped outside the door to the hospital room, hand raised to knock, then hesitated and let it fall.

He nced coolly at Orson. "I''m not going in."

Orson, holding a Tupperware container, looked exasperated. "Mr. Rupert, you''re

already here. Might as well go in, right?"

"Nope. Not in the mood to get yelled at."

Rupert''s eyes darkened. He turned to leave, but before he could, the sound of something breaking came from inside the room.

By the time Orson looked up, Rupert had already disappeared down the hallway.

Orson

"Not in

in, rolling his eyes.

mood to get yelled

Yeah night. He probably came

hoping

for a scolding or tw

s

Inside the room-

Sylvia had tried to pour herself a ss of water, but twisted too quickly, pulling at

the bandages on her back.

The ss slipped and shattered on the floor.

She bent down to clean up the shards, but before she could, a pair of strongfn8018 Find the newest release on find~novel/fn8018

hands closed gently but firmly over hers.

A man''s breath was hot against her ear, voice tight with worry. "Do you want to shred your hand too?"