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"Carol, can you focus?" His darkened eyes studied her for a moment as he rushed toward their destination

She parted her lips, couldn’t get a word out, closed her eyes, and concentrated on him and the way he held her so… so possessively

He squeezed her tight again and kissed her lips gently, which got her attention As soon as she opened her eyes, even as blurry as her vision was, she saw his lips curve slightly upward, but his broas still furrowed in a deep frown

After what seemed like forever, his feet troht they should have been stone--and then inside She felt the warmth of the castle keep and s froht?" Lelandi asked "What’s happened?"

Lelandi? The Highland ro instantly died, and she remembered the pies Lelandi, Silva, and she hadfrom the tavern and her date with Ryan

"I think she’s been drugged She’s not said a word since I found her She can barely open her eyes, and she is lih the house

Carol smelled the scent of the roses on the hs bu her back as he ascended the stairs What was she wrapped in, if not his plaid?

"Where were you when Sam raised the alarm?" Lelandi’s words were spoken close behind hihter but just as hurried

"I was searching the woods out back when I heard gunfire and Sa When I drew too close to her kidnappers, theyand dropped her"

"Oh, Carol" Lelandi’s voice was clearly shaken "Take her to her room I’ll call Doc"

Then the hazy world seemed to fade away Carol was safe and home for the moment with the man of her dreams And free

Chapter 12

RYAN HUGGED CAROL TIGHTER AS HER SLIGHTLY TENSE body seeotten Darien’s approval to stay and guard her, but damn if Darien had said he’d stay in the sunroom, which was too far froh he’d planned to sit in the recliner in her roouard in the way he felt would offer her the right a here

If he hadn’t been searching around the grounds outside before he retired for the evening, he’d never have heard thetwo-story house in time And if he hadn’t nearly reached theht, they wouldn’t have dropped her and left her behind, he was fairly certain For that, he was grateful

"Carol, can you hearher to knoas hie

"H a little

As little as it was, he was still glad to hear her response "Until Doc gets over here with sooing to feel pretty out of it Your skin and hair are caked with soap, and Lelandi doesn’t have the strength to wash you in the shower A bath would take too long to prepare, not the way you’re shivering I’ll have to wash you in the shower"

"Hh they hadn’t any other choice

When he reached the bathroom, the shower had been turned off, but the room was thick arm moisture, thein the air He lay Carol down on a towel on the tiled floor, but as soon as he released her, she reached her hands slightly up to hi her hands, hating to have to leave her unattended for even a second when she didn’t seele" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>