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"You better have soood proof," he hissed

Elliot flinched "I don't under-"

"Show it to me" Ian spat the words "Show me your proof"

Selena gave Ian a look of such stark, agonizing fear that he felt as if she'd struck him Then she fainted

Ian and Elliot both lurched toward her Ian got there first, wrapping his ar her close "Don't you touch her," he snarled, shoving Elliot away

He scooped her into his ar her out on the overstuffed settee, loosening her gown so she could breathe He saw the white outline of the corset In another tihed at her, would have teased her for breaking her co a straitjacket

But there was no laughter inside him now He kneeled beside Selena, stroked her face with a hand that couldn't stop shaking He wanted a drink Sweet Jesus, he wanted a drink "It's okay, goddess, just rest a minute I'll take care of this"

"Dr Carrick__" Elliot said in a quiet, respectful

voice

Ian jerked to his feet and spun around

Elliot stood in the middle of the roo, touching, pointing Lara was crying softly, rocking the little bird in her cupped hands Andrew looked stricken Even Johann was pale It fueled Ian's anger that they believed the old man, that they were afraid

"Get out," he hissed to the crowd

He didn't have to say it again Andrew and Edith and the queen disappeared like sone Johann was the only one who stayed He leaned against the wall, his aruid and relaxed; only the sharp narrowing of his eyes revealed his anxiety

279

"Go" Ian hadelse ment of a word