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pulled her hard against him, looking down at her with what she could only describe as a mixture of hatred and disgust. 
    Again, she attempted to pull back as she challenged, “You can save your loathing for someone who deserves it. I’ve never done anything to you.  And as for doing what you say, you’ve got the wrong lady because I’m not her.”  Realizing her attempts to free herself were futile, she slumped her shoulders with a harshly expelled sigh of resignation and held her hands up in front of her as if to protect herself from his hateful scowl.  She stood trembling from a mixture of adrenaline and anger, but her features only portrayed despair as she kept her head turned to the side to avoid eye contact. 
    He was much taller than Warren’s five foot six and he was more heavily muscled.  Intimidating on and off the track…of course!
    ***
    Staring down upon Lucia’s slight frame with her gloved hands held up in a gesture of self-protection, Draken’s hard gaze softened and he felt a pang of guilt for having judged Lucia so harshly.  He still had no proof that she was a participant in, let alone even aware of Warren’s schemes, and without the proof he couldn’t confront her.  Not that he would in her current state.  From what Dr. White had informed him, Lucia was still healing.  While her burns and leg were getting better daily, there was still a great chance of infection. 
    He bent and effortlessly scooped Lucia up into his arms.  A startled squeak escaped her lips but she quickly looked away from him to avoid meeting his gaze.  She was light…and soft.  He tried not to rub his hands on the bare skin of her legs or her satin covered ribs where he held her and the effort was difficult.   
    Wordlessly, he carried her down the corridor and back to her room where he gently placed her on her bed then turned and left the room.
    In the hall, he stopped to regain his composure.  Something about Lucia had him off-balance.  He was a consummate professional and an uncompromising businessman, but for some reason he felt himself buckle slightly where Lucia was concerned.  He ran a hand over his face.  He hadn’t held a woman in years.  He’d been too consumed with tracking his sisters’ killers to bother with a love life.  Now, after cradling Lucia in his arms he realized what a mistake the action had been.  It only served to remind him of what he’d been missing. 
    He shook his head and snorted with a smile, Get a grip!  She’s your enemy.   He tried to convince himself of the fact as he stalked back down the hall to his room. 
    ***
    Lucia sat on the bed in disbelief.  Shaking from the encounter, she tried to figure out what just happened.  A pang of guilt tore through her at how she’d confronted him, but he’d earned the admonishment.  Still, he’d been allowing her to stay with him and taking care of her.  I should be grateful.
    She didn’t bother getting back up off the bed.  Instead, she lay on her back staring up at the ceiling and going over Draken’s potential motives before sleep finally claimed her.
    The next afternoon Lucia lay in bed listening to birds chirping outside her balcony window as she wondered what Draken meant by “until I decide it’s time for you to go.”  Whatever he was up to, Lucia knew she wanted no part of it. 
    With the help of her cane, she maneuvered about the room with only slight effort.  Quickly, she pulled a short jean skirt and peach sweater from the wardrobe of clothes that Draken had purchased for her.  Nurse Hall had informed her of the clothes, but she hadn’t had a chance to wear any having been confined to her room for the past four weeks.  Now, she dressed and had to admit it felt good to finally get out of the satin nightgown and into some proper attire. 
    She slid her feet into a pair of white canvas shoes then eased herself down into the chair in front of the tall mirror that sat atop one of the bedroom dressers.  She