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it.
    Sammi shoved the covers aside and swung her legs over the side, barely noting that she was in a Victoria’s Secret cotton T-shirt gown that must belong to Jane.
    Tristan’s hands came down on her shoulders and held her steady as he knelt beside the bed. “You’re bleeding.”
    “I have to leave.”
    “Why?”
    Sammi shook her head. It was as if her thoughts were muddled, as if sleep once more weighed her down. “They’ll come for me. They always come for me.”
    “Who?” he persisted.
    Sammi’s already weak body was fast losing what little energy she had. Tears stung her eyes as frustration filled her. She was so tired, and they kept asking questions. She couldn’t remember what she had told them and what she hadn’t. The burden of it all pressed down on her, sinking her further and further into a place she knew she’d never come back from.
    She shoved him aside and got to her feet. He was standing before her once more, blocking her way and forcing her to look at him. His hands were large and held her carefully but securely in front of him.
    He watched her cautiously, as if studying her. In his eyes she saw truth and understanding. If anyone could help her, it just might be Tristan.
    If she dared to tell him.
    He smoothed a lock of hair away from her face, his large hand gentle and reassuring. It would be so good to let someone else carry her burdens for a while. She was just so … tired.
    “Sammi, who is after you?” he urged, his voice going deeper, smoother.
    It was almost as if his voice was inside her head. “I don’t know who they are exactly.”
    He gave a nod, a slight lift to the corner of his lips. “Tell me what you do know. Let me help.”
    She shook her head. Sammi didn’t know how she kept from telling him everything. In her mind she recounted the entire incident.
    It was a relief actually. To share her burden within her mind helped more than she had realized. She should have done it sooner.
    “It’s all right.” Tristan’s thumbs were slowly rubbing her arms in circles. It was such a small movement, but it was comforting. His touch soothed her, calmed her.
    Reassured her.
    How could she fight something that felt so good? Her dream man was touching her, talking to her in his sexy voice. If only she was brave enough to tell them all she knew. If only she had the strength to stay on her feet for more than two seconds.
    She didn’t resist when he pushed her back onto the bed. His hands were quick and concise as he pulled up her sleeve and wiped away the blood before replacing the bandage.
    Then she was once more beneath the covers. As soon as she was able, she would leave, she told herself as her eyes grew heavy. It was the only option left to her.
    *   *   *
    “I doona think she even knows she told you,” Banan said.
    Tristan gazed at Sammi. The panic and fear he had seen in her eyes left him cold. “Nay, she didna.”
    “How did you do it?”
    He had no idea. Something inside him urged him to push Sammi, but even as he did it, he could feel his magic probe into her mind. Now he knew the magic he had as a Dragon King—he could make people tell him whatever he wanted.
    Sammi wouldn’t appreciate it. If she ever found out.
    Tristan shrugged. “It just happened.”
    “Ah,” Banan said with a nod of understanding.
    Tristan rubbed a strand of her hair between his fingers. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her. He wanted to shelter her from the people who dared to go after her.
    He looked up to find Banan watching him. Tristan released Sammi’s hair but didn’t step away from the bed.
    “Sammi is Jane’s sister,” Banan said. “Doona trifle with her.”
    “In other words, stay away?”
    Banan walked around the bed to stand beside him. “I’m just asking that you no’ mess with her if you need to ease your cock. Find another woman for that.”
    Tristan made himself look away from her and into Banan’s face as he calmly changed the subject. “Our initial