The horrendous cramps that struck Laney less than two hours after Boris' declaration took some of the bite out of his point. Unless he wanted to become a complete monster, Boris couldn't touch Laney, except to offer her comfort. If she weren't in such terrible pain, Laney would have enjoyed the irony of his consistently being denied the prize he was so sure he would have once he got her on board the cargo ship.

She watched from her position curled in a tight ball on the bed as ...