But when she looked again, the darkness was gone.

"Chase?" She started to speak but was suddenly cut off.

The man who'd fallen had gotten up, and his strong hands were now around her throat.

As his grip tightened, Claire couldn't believe it. The murderous look in his eyes shocked her to tears.

Struggling to breathe, she hit his arms: "Chase, what's wrong with you?"

Just that phrase made him let go, guilt washing over him about ...