Bilal lifted her silently, cradling her in his arms. For one horrible moment Carmella stiffened before she finally melted against him and buried her face against his neck. He felt her hot tears against his skin and it hurt him as much as daggers.

After a short time, Carmella finally looked at him. His face held not a look of sadness but determination. Something shifted in her. She knew two things as sure as she knew anything else; if Raj died, she would take her own life, and ...