ra sat in Dn''s car, a knot of nerves twisting in her stomach. Ever since Jeffree''s death, it felt like she was trapped in a sticky web of confusion. When the car stopped in front of a quaint little house in Palm Bay, she stayed put, mulling things over for a couple of minutes before finally asking, "Dn, are you handling Jeffree''s case yourself?"


    She didn''t understand why she was here tonight, especially since Jackson seemed set on keeping her under wraps. Was there something Dn needed to ask her?


    Dn had already settled his wheelchair on the ground. He paused for a moment, absorbing her question in silence, before moving forward without a word. ra sighed and followed him inside.


    They walked to his bedroom door, and she hesitated briefly before stepping in. By the bed, a few roses stood fresh and lively, like they''d just been picked. Before she could ask about them, his phone rang.


    His expression was calm, but his eyes had a dangerous edge. "I can''t. I''m noting tomorrow night," he said into the phone. ra pieced it together-his family, the Fergusons, had a lot going on with the holidays, and as the heir, he was in the thick of it.


    His calls seemed endless, stretching on for a solid half hour. ra wasn''t sure where to sit, or if she even should. Finally, after an hour, he wrapped up thest call and looked at her.


    "Jeffree''s situation is being taken care of by the council," he said, implying she was off the hook.


    Relief washed over her, but she couldn''t shake off the curiosity-why was Dn helping her? Even in her muddled state since the amnesia, she''d noticed his constant support.


    She nced at his wheelchair, voicing the question that had lingered in her mind. "Dn, about your legs, have you ever med me?"


    With his personality, if he held a grudge, she doubted she''d still be around. So why was he helping her? She just couldn''t figure it out.


    Dn lowered his gaze, his wrist tense as he walked past her. She caught his soft words, "Think of it as a debt I owe you."


    She hurried to catch up, pushing his wheelchair. "Since you''ve helped me this time, let''s call it even."


    He stopped, staring ahead, rubbing his temples. ra noticed he looked worn out. "Dn?" she asked gently.


    He shook his head, took the elevator


    down to the living room, and grabbed a bottle of pills from the coffee table. ra quickly poured him ass of warm water. Dn reached for it, but his hand trembled, spiffing water onto hisp. His fist clenched at his side, as if he was fighting against something within.


    Grabbing a napkin, ra started dabbing at the water just as the door swung open and Eden entered. She was holding roses but dropped them when she saw ra, petals scattering across the floor


    "ra!" Eden barked, storming over, hand raised to strike. But she froze, noticing Dn''s pale face. "Dn, what''s wrong?"


    Dn''s eyes were shut, sweat pouring down his face. ra called for Aiden, who calmly took the pill bottle, gave Dn another dose, and then stood protectively by her side.


    "ra, since you''re okay now, I''ll have someone drive you home," Aiden said, gently guiding her away. She nced back at Dn, but he''d turned away, all she could see was his clenched hand, holding on tight.