Charles was about to say something else, but suddenly went quiet, his eyes narrowing.


    Ryan was just about to snap, "What''s with the theatrics?" when, in the next instant, the window exploded.


    A bullet shattered the ss.


    He went pale, and without thinking, threw himself in front of ra to shield her.


    Last night, after ra had passed out, he''d barely managed to drag her here. This wasn''t even his ce—just a stylish rental on the edge of the city. He''d called Emily for help, and she''de over to make some medicine for ra.


    His own broken ribs hadn''t even been looked at yet. Every breath hurt like hell, but all he could think about was waiting for ra to wake up.


    He never thought anyone would find them way out here.


    Suddenly, a dog''s bark rang out. The gunshots outside turned frantic. More ss shattered, but then, just like that, everything went quiet.


    Charles''s eyes sparkled with excitement. He jumped up, heading straight for the door.


    Ryan yanked him back. "Are you out of your mind? Didn''t you hear the gunshots?"


    Charles just snorted, chin tilted up in that annoying way. "Please. I''m unstoppable. These guys aren''t even a challenge."


    Ryan''s face twisted. Seriously, what an idiot.


    He was about to drag Charles back inside when two white blurs leaped through the broken window.


    Dogs. But not any kind he''d ever seen-massive, all muscle, with pale fur and red-stained jaws that said they''d just been in a fight.


    Charles threw open the door. In the yard, seven or eight men were sprawled everywhere, most of them with mangled arms, most out cold. Only one guy was even moving, and he looked ready to pass out.


    Ryan had seen some wild stuffst night, but even so, he nearly lost it at the sight.


    If ra was the Grim Reaper, then this lunatic was here to do her dirty work.


    Not a single normal person in the bunch.


    He doubled over, throwing up twice, then wiped his mouth and red at Charles, suddenly on edge.


    If this guy ever turned those dogs on ra...


    He''d fight him with everything he had.


    But before he could finish the thought, he heard a sound behind him-ra was awake.


    Relief crashed through Ryan. He grabbed her hand, practically shouting, "ra, you''re awake!"


    ra lifted a hand to her forehead, her eyes still a little dazed but clearing fast. Ryan almost broke down, about to hug her, but she gently pushed him away. Charles, who''d already reached the door, spun around and came striding back, dropping himself right on the edge of the bed.


    "Hey! You''re finally up! Can we go out now? brought you a present Oh, and the helicopter-the one with the jewels you wanted! Also, check


    this out-a te!"  fo


    He pulled open his jacket, digging out a sloppily wrapped bundle and handed it to her.


    "Look! Shiny, right? Perfect for spaghetti."


    The messy wrapping fell open on the bed, revealing a dish so


    and sparkling it looked like cleamet


    ss, but icy cold in her hands.


    Ryan, who''d grown up with the Bradford family and seen his share of priceless treasures, sucked in a breath.


    "You seriously just stuffed that in your coat? Do you even know what that''s worth?"


    Insanity. Filthy rich insanity.


    Charles shoved the glittering te


    ult is


    into ra''s arms. "You like it? I picked it out myself. My brother''s vault is full of stuff like this—if you''re not into it, I''ll get you something else next time."


    ra looked down at the wless, ss-like jade te, a small smile tugging at


    her lips. "ss again, huh?"


    Why always ss?


    She nced at her own hand, where a translucent green jade bracelet


    shimmered. Who had given her that?