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Dr Fournier‘s voice was deliberately soothingHave you talked to the people you ith that night? Soer for the memory to return…‘

Cristiano gave an i I re‘ He had been over it tiain He reot into the car, and after that nothing Soain, he thought he caught the echo of so that was a memory rather than a dream, and desperately tried to hold onto it, but the harder he tried the more elusive it was

Suki tellsWater, but that can‘t have taken long After that I one home‘

Leaning against the sill, he dropped his head into his hands for a ainst the odds he had survived a crash that should have killed hied himself fro car

He had built up his strength, and driven hiain fitness, harnessing the same determination and focus that had made him so successful before

Now everything he had worked for was slipping through his fingers And there was nothing he could do about it—because while he could control his body and work harder, train longer, push himself further, his brain still let him down

Don‘t forget that you are lucky to have survived, Cristiano‘

He raised his head and looked at the doctor with an expression of infinite despairIf I can‘t race again, I ht as well not have‘

Dr Fournier tapped her finger thoughtfully against her compressed lips

When was the last time you had a holiday?‘

He shruggedRelaxing has never really been ‘

Maybe you should try it You‘ve pushed yourself as far as you possibly can physically, so ive yourself a rest Take some time out to think‘

No thanks‘

He had spent his life trying to avoid having ti fro forces behind everything he did

Dr Fournier shrugged one cash your me yourself—almost as if you have to prove to yourself that you‘re not just as fit as you were before the accident, but fitter, stronger, better You‘ve done it, Cristiano—congratulations Physically, you‘re in peak condition However, mentally…‘

Thank you, Doctor‘ He gave her a glacial ss‘

Needing ti—and I‘ it as your friend I have a chalet in the Alps, near Courchevel It‘s pretty isolated, but a housekeeper keeps it stocked up with the essentials and the skiing is great‘ She opened the top drawer of her desk and took out a set of keys They gave a silvery jangle as she held the at hi as you want it‘

And, because he had run out of options, because he was desperate, because it was the only glily dark horizon, Cristiano found hi them from her

Go, Cristiano,‘ she said gravelyGo soon‘

Chapter Two

OMIGOD—you will never guess who‘s just arriving…‘

Kate jerked her head up, al herself with the mascara wand, as Lisa‘s shriek of excitement ricocheted off her taut nerves

OK, tell me‘

Lisa, already dressed and ready to go in a skin-tight silver dress that showed off her ure to perfection, was stationed at the French s looking out over the front of the hotel to where the Monaco Casino lit up the night like an elegant ocean liner The guests for the Ca: a steady procession of shiny, sporty, expensive cars pulling up in front of the Casino‘s falaly excited commentary