a sharp wind and pinpricks of rain swept across the woman's face. Instinctively

e clean scent of cedar mixed with rain on his clothes. For just

her fingers, pulling in deep breaths of the f

er eyes like newly discovered jewels. She looked at

ence but not unkind. "What are you chasi

y shaking their heads. To them, she must have looked foo

y an icy purpose. Five years had gone by. She was still brea

.

he pier. Levi Hopkins, flanked by armed guards,

e the auction, but relief flickered across Lev

eeting them with a

his presence alone radiati

erst

secure a priceless artifact? Instead, he'd returned with a woman in his arms-personall

the back. "Careful, Levi. Staring at he

and dropped his voice to

troked his chin. "Blood slave.

let his curiosity drop. Still, he couldn't help himself

ged, equally

leaned in closer, lowering his voic

ead, intrigued. "How

eston replied, sprea

isbelief plain on his face. "You could buy a fleet of fighter j

o imagine why Charlie would

nd trade glances in her direction, suspicion flickering through he

ing her focus instead to Charlie's tall silhouette

her mind. Why had he intervened?

y instinct, which told

hance to slip away

option. Sticking close to Charlie, fo

after him, matching his

amusement flickered across his face. At least she

bin on the yacht, never glancing b

bundle of clothes at her, his tone smooth but edged with d

ad and glanced up, finding him wa

eason for her "purchas

arrowed. "What's the matter? Don't tell

resh clothes and made her way to the