The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella touched Joshua's forehead. His skin was warmer than usual, but thankfully, he wasn't running a fever.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief, though a pang of guilt crept into her heart.

The air in Germany was always damp, and last night's persistent rain had left everything cold and clammy. The floor was practically icy.

And she'd made Joshua sleep on the floor.

Honestly, even if she'd tried it herself, she'd probably have caught a cold after one night down there, never mind someone else.

If Joshua fell ill at a time like this, it wouldn't just jeopardize their escape from Germany-dodging their pursuers would become nearly impossible.

Stella closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

After a brief pause, she opened them again.

She straightened out the blankets on the bed, then walked back to where Joshua lay.

No matter what, she needed to get him off the floor and onto the bed before the cold got to him any more than it already had.

But Joshua was tall and broad-shouldered, nearly as big as Haynes. Even though Stella had been working out lately, hauling a man his size was no easy feat.

After several attempts that left her sweating, she finally managed to pull Joshua upright.

That was when he stirred awake.

his eyes slowly. "What's going

hoarse, nothing like the clear, steady tone

awake, Stella straightened, alert. "Joshua, how are you feeling? Can you stand? Let's

strange-gone was the bright clarity she knew. In its place was a cold, unsettling shadow, like the gloomy

He murmured, "...Alright."

the bed. "Joshua, does

He answered sluggishly, "Yeah."

asked, "Did you bring any medication with you? Or is there something

replied, "It's an old problem. Medicine

nodded. "In that

gets

go out and get us some breakfast. Is

anything

want?" s

shook his

just get some rest.

that, Stella left the

clicked shut behind her before she took out her phone and

contacts the last time he'd helped her deal with

voice answered, "Ms. Cameron, need my help

quiet corner. "No, actually.