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greetings. Instead, the moment he stepped through the door, she blasted him with, “You tricked me.”
    “It’s lovely to see you again, too, Dr. Vaughn.” He slid out of his coat and draped it carefully over the back of a chair.
    “Cut the bullshit. You sent me here knowing how much Clay hates doctors. You could have at least warned me.”
    “You might not have come. I couldn’t afford to let that happen.”
    “Damn right I wouldn’t have come. It’s bad enough to be faced with a dangerous man who might crack at any second, but giving him a nice, juicy target for all that hatred was way out of line.”
    “I knew he wouldn’t hurt you.”
    “How? You said he was like Hollis and needed my help. If you’ll remember right, Hollis broke my arm before he finally . . .” She couldn’t say the words. Her brother had died more than two years ago, and yet she still couldn’t utter the truth aloud.
    Payton cupped her shoulder. “I knew Clay hadn’t gotten that bad yet. If he had, I would have sent him somewhere safe, where he couldn’t hurt anyone.”
    Just like he’d done to Garrett.
    She hadn’t seen her oldest brother in months, and the ache of missing him never seemed to fade. Payton handed out visits like cookies to a child, ensuring her cooperation. And like a child, she went along with it, unable to resist the temptation.
    Garrett was so lonely, kept in solit Kkeped with ary confinement so he wouldn’t hurt anyone or himself. She had to do whatever she could to see him as often as possible, so he’d know he was still loved.
    Her anger faded, replaced by grief and loneliness for her brothers. “Why take the risk with Clay? Why risk my life?”
    “Because Clay may be the key to stopping this for good. For everyone.”
    “Everyone who? Are you saying there are more men out there like Clay and my brothers?”
    Payton turned away from her, pretending to be interested in the angle of the watercolor hanging on the wall. “Possibly. Clay will help us find out for sure. I may have been using you. I’m certainly using him. But I’m doing so in order to save others from suffering through what your family has. You’re the only person I know who completely understands the risks.”
    It was tough for her to argue with that, as much as she wanted to. She and her two brothers had gone through a hell she wouldn’t wish on anyone. She knew just how bad it could get and exactly what was at stake.
    Leigh let out a long breath, searching for a sliver of calm. “Clay tried to leave once he found out that I’m a doctor. I had to sedate him to keep him here.”
    Payton nodded. “You made the right choice.”
    Sarcasm hung in her voice. “I’m sure Clay will see it that way—all nice and reasonable—when he wakes up.”
    “Where is he?”
    “On the living room floor. He was too heavy for me to move.”
    “How long until he wakes up?”
    “A couple more hours, maybe. It’s hard to say. He looks like he hasn’t been getting much sleep, so it could be longer. It would be best if he slept through the rest of the night.”
    Payton went to where Clay was sacked out on the floor. She’d put a pillow under his head and covered him with a blanket, but that was the extent of comfort she had to offer. As lean as he was, he still had at least fifty pounds on her.
    “You should check him out while he’s unconscious.”
    “Why?”
    “To make sure he has no serious injuries. He’s the type of man who would hide them rather than seek help. I’ve caught him sewing up his own cuts before rather than getting medical attention after a mission.”
    Wow. He really did hate doctors if he went that far. Most men were babies about pain, happily accepting whatever painkillers she was willing to offer.
    Payton picked him up and carried him upstairs to a bedroom.
    “You’re stronger than you look,” she said.
    “Vanity has its benefits.” He stripped Clay down to his boxers right in front of her, with no concern for his