He didn''t bother saying anything-just grabbed a shirt and headed for the bathroom.


    ra, always a little clueless about these things, stayed put on the bed, waiting patiently.


    When Dn came out, he went straight to the closet, searching for a pair of pants. ra didn''t even try to look away. He hesitated, then ducked back into the bathroom to finish getting dressed.


    Finally, when they were both ready, Dn opened the door to leave.


    "Where are you going? Are youing home for dinner tonight?" ra called after him.


    He paused in the doorway, holding back for a few seconds before finally answering, "No. I won''t be back tonight."


    He had meetings lined up with a few business partners, and after that, he''d probably head to the old Ferguson family estate.


    "You''re going back to your family? What if your dad tries something again? What if, by the time youe back, whatever little bit of feeling you have for me is just... gone? I just don''t trust him at all, and you don''t even remember anything right now, you—"


    Her worries kept tumbling out. After all, Dn''s father could easily manipte him in his current state. What if Dn came back even colder than before? They never really belonged in each other''s worlds. If he shut her outpletely, she might never see him again. After what happened, his father would probably do everything he could to get rid of her.


    Dn''s hand tightened on the doorknob. He hesitated, then turned and slipped a si ring onto her thumb.


    "Keep this safe."


    ra pressed her lips together and looked up at him, searching his face.


    He paused, then gently cupped her cheeks and kissed her-soft and fleeting. The warmth of him, the familiar scent, made her heart ache. But he pulled away quickly, holding himself back.


    "If that dayes, take this and find me in North America."


    ra went up on tiptoe, pressed him back against the wall, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him-his lips, his jaw, his throat, his corbone.


    He froze for a split second, then gave in and kissed her back. They lost themselves in each other for what felt like forever, until Dn suddenly broke away, his voice rough. "I really have to go."


    ra grinned, but there was worry in her eyes. "What if Walter tries to get rid of me? I wouldn''t stand a chance."


    Dn''s eyshes trembled as he looked away, gazending on the flush in her cheeks.


    "If I die, you''ll never see me again," ra said with a teasing smile. "And if you forget mepletely, even if begged for your help, you probably wouldn''t care. When you''re cold to someone, you really don''t hold back."


    He listened as she rambled on, then opened the door and called to the man in


    ck waiting outside. "From now on, you stay with her."


    The guy-Kay, as ra called him—had been hanging around Palm Bay for a while.


    ra bit her lip. "Just him? Isn''t that a little risky? Walter''s not exactly easy to deal with-he could probably take Kay out without breaking a sweat."


    She couldn''t see Kay''s face, but Dn could tell he was offended, just from the way he stiffened.


    Dn couldn''t shake the feeling that ra kept asking for more so much that she was pushing some invisible boundary.


    He looked down. "He''ll be with you. And everyone in Palm Bay answers to him."


    ra brightened, clearly pleased. So


    Kay was that important. No wonder


    he was always around. That meant


    even if Dn forgot her, she could


    nift


    stille and go in Palm Bay as she


    liked.


    "So from now on, Kay only listens to me, right? Good. That makes me feel a lot better."


    Dn nodded, but didn''t leave right away. It was like he was waiting to see if she''d ask for anything else.


    And honestly, it seemed like he might just give it to her.