LOGINBecause of my back, I could barely move. All I could do was clutch those damn blankets tightly against me, as though they were enough to ward him off.Barrett lifted his hands in the air as a sign of defense. “Elena, just hear me out—”“NO!”I turned around to grapple for that damn emergency call bu
ElenaBetween the antibiotics and other medications that were coursing through my system, I felt truly and utterly strung out. I was exhausted. I had no choice but to be pulled under the medications’ influence and sleep.However, it was far from restful.In fact, it felt like its own form of torture
BarrettBarrett stared the man down with a cold, unyielding glare as he waited for an answer. His patience was already wearing thin.Dr. Finn could hardly look Barrett in the eyes. “A ‘code yellow’ had been announced. A large group of people came in, needing medical assistance as soon as possible.”
ElenaMy eyes slowly peered open and were instantly hurting from the powerful brightness of the lights overhead. I winced and was met with a sudden voice that spoke out from across the room.“Hang on, Angel. Let me adjust the lights.”“K-Killian?” My voice was so raspy, I hardly recognized it.Withi
“Tell me the real reason as to why you’re refusing to treat this patient,” Killian demanded.An awkward silence filled the air, causing Killian’s anger to rise once more.“Surely, it wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that this woman is human...Correct?”The doctor’s complexion paled. “I...N
KillianKillian felt as though he was racing against the clock to ensure that Elena received the medical attention that she desperately needed. She’d fallen unconscious between the loss of blood and the lack of oxygen to her lungs.Throughout the drive, he persistently glanced at her to ensure that
KillianThe moment Killian saw Elena’s name light up on his phone screen, his heart jolted in his chest. Something had to be wrong, he thought.Elena was never the kind of person who would willingly reach out for help. Unless it was truly something that she couldn’t manage.Moments like this were ra
ElenaI took Killian's hand."I accept," I said.The children erupted. The boy with the scar punched the air. The small one with the prosthetic threw a cupcake. The girl in my lap shrieked. Killian's hand closed around mine for one heartbeat and then let go.For an hour, I forgot.I cut a cake with
ElenaBarrett took a long breath.Then: "Of course not. Of course I believe you."The words came with the right speed, with the right warmth, and six months ago they would have worked on me.Today they landed flat.The five seconds of silence before he spoke had already answered for him.He turned o
ElenaI drove to Ironbound headquarters.Staff looked up as I walked across the lobby.I had never been to Ironbound HQ. Not once in three years. Barrett and I had met in hotel penthouses and private dining rooms and the back of his car. I had gone to the council gala as Dr. Halloran, his personal







