Walter was right-Tara reached out to Flynn almost immediately.


    Flynn''s people never failed. Even so, when he got word that ra was still alive,


    he was genuinely taken aback. He called in the man who''d handled the job that


    night.


    "ra''s alive. Care to exin?"


    The guy in charge dropped to his knees, lookingpletely baffled. "We gave her


    the injection and buried her alive. She shouldn''t have made it out."


    Flynn let out a slow breath, sounding almost relieved. "You''re positive she got the


    shot?"


    "Absolutely. No doubt."


    Turning back to the phone, Flynn tried to reassure Tara. "Even if they found her,


    she''ll be a vegetable. That kind of person''s easy enough to deal with, right?"


    Tara''s heart was thudding in her chest. She needed to be sure, so she kept


    asking.


    "Uncle, what if she didn''t... you know, lose her mind?"


    The kneeling man jumped in, "Impossible. The women at the rehab center—"


    He caught himself, realizing he''d said too much, and quickly added, "No one has


    ever survived the drug. Sir, you know it''s banned for a reason."


    Flynn tapped his thumb on the table, voice calm. "If you''re that worried, Tara, go


    check on her yourself. Then you''ll know."


    Tara finally felt a little better, a smile tugging at her lips. If ra really was brain-


    dead, she''d be a breeze to deal with.


    "Thanks, Uncle. Please keep an eye out. If there''s another opportunity, we need


    to finish this."


    "This was my mistake, Tara. Next time, there won''t be any loose ends."


    Buried alive and still breathing. Some people just wouldn''t die.


    Not long after hanging up, Tara grabbed a gift box and headed over to Palm Bay.


    But she barely made it to the gate before the guard stopped her.


    "Ms. Warren, Mr. Morgan''s resting. He isn''t seeing visitors right now."


    Tara''s face fell for a split second, but she quickly pulled herself together.


    "Dn was in aa. I never got to visit. I brought him some pastries from a top


    chef—thought they might cheer him up. They''re still warm. Could you give them to


    him? Is he feeling better? I''ve tried calling, but he never answers."


    The guard looked at her, feeling a little sorry, but he remembered his orders. His


    tone stayed firm. "I''m sorry, Ms. Warren. Mr. Morgan isn''t seeing anyone, and he''s


    not epting gifts either. Maybe try another day?"


    Tara didn''t even flinch. "Alright, I''lle back next time. No point letting these go


    to waste, though. Why don''t you all have them?"


    The guard looked surprised. "We really couldn''t—"


    "Don''t worry about it. You''ve all been working hard."


    She left the box at the gate and got back in her car, not bothering to look back.


    But once the windows were up, her


    whole expression changed, turning


    cold and sharp. Was Dn really not


    seeing anyone, or was ra the


    reason for all this?


    Dn, seriously? How far are you willing to go for that woman?


    She''d always thought of him as her future husband. The man she wanted needed


    to be strong, untouchable—not soft because of a woman.


    ra couldn''t stay. No matter what it took, Tara was determined to get rid of her


    for good.


    *


    Inside Palm Bay, ra lounged on the couch, flipping through aic book,


    mouth open and waiting.


    Dn peeled a grape, popped it into her mouth, and watched her puff her cheeks


    out as she ate, still totally absorbed in heric.


    He couldn''t help but smile.


    Moments like this were rare—quiet, easy, almost peaceful.


    He''d gathered theics in a hurry when ra said she wanted to read. She


    was just a kid at heart sometimes.


    Dn''s smile softened as he peeled


    another grape. The juice stained his


    fingertips. He''d never cared about


    these little things before, but now, he


    did it all with care.


    He offered her another grape. ra nced up at him, grinned, and said,


    "Thanks, hubby."


    He didn''t eat any himself, just kept his eyes fixed on her bright, happy face.


    Just then, a housekeeper walked in


    with a steaming bowl of soup. "This


    is for you ma am it''ll help you get


    your strength back," she said


    politely.


    Dn took it, blew gently on the surface, and tasted a spoonful. His brow


    furrowed. "Is this... sweet?"


    The housekeeper giggled, "I put in salt, sir. Maybe it just tastes sweet because


    your heart''s happy."


    Dn didn''t answer, but his lips curved into a quiet smile.