The bathroom was silent.

Grayson stared down at her, his heart pounding violently as he held her in his arms. Kate was unconscious, her head resting against his chest, a few loose strands of hair brushing against his jaw.

"Kate…" he whispered.

Carefully, he adjusted his grip, holding her like something fragile—something that could shatter with the slightest movement. His hand trembled slightly as he searched for her pulse at her wrist. When he felt the faint beat beneath his fingers, he finally exhaled the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Thank God…" he muttered, closing his eyes for a moment before forcing them open again.

He pulled out his phone with one hand and dialed.

"Bring the car. Now," he ordered. "Main entrance. Two minutes."

He hung up before the driver could respond.

Then he lifted her again, more gently this time. His arms were strong and sure, but the way he held her… no one who knew him would have believed the tenderness in his touch.

She f