The Forbidden Throb

a's

of striking eyes behin

wned. Daniel Prescott-Nicholas's older brother, Harvard Medical School pr

hastily stepping back. "I was

, his voice warm and genui

ott was renowned for his photographic memory. Still, h

managed, smoothing my d

cholas, with the same aristocratic featu

egance. His dark suit was impeccably tailored but understated, his tie a subtle navy that mat

nd Daniel-not from any unkindness on his par

rnals and whispered about as the future of Boston medi

stured vaguely toward the c

lone?" Daniel asked befor

eplied automatically, the practiced exc

aught a flash of something-disapproval?-in hi

d ask Sophia to keep you company. She's been looking fo

appeared at her brother's elbow, her brigh

ear one more story about summer in Nantucke

d all the Prescott elegance

affection. "Come on, let's raid the desser

nt smile. "I'll leave you in

ng occasionally to exchange pleasantries with Boston's el

d a table laden with elegant pastries. "He's alway

ntly with Sophia's chatter

ism and Communication studies and shared amusin

zed it was approaching eleven. "I should pr

you home," Sophia offered,

lutch, typing a quick message: It's getting late. Can yo

hing past caught the edge of her tray on my dres

so sorry!" she g

rt sank at the spreading stain. The dress had cos

ediately t

suite to change. I've got so

ce corridor and into an eleva

eeping views of Boston Harbor. Sophia disappeared into on

ork. Bathroom

e black dress fit surprisingly well, though it was

m the bathroom, th

lled, but rece

my friend had an emergency. You can head di

the door, only to hesitate as I realized I had

idors and finding myself back where I s

led out my phone

d faintly through the walls nearby. I tilted my he

ollowed the sound to a door further down th

s? Are y

oment, I heard

oung woman wrapped in nothing but a ho

might be Nicholas's room made my stomach drop. Was I at

ering between confusion and a horrible suspi

el appeared beside me, his e

confusion," he said s

familiar voice called

las's

into place-the repeated texts, his insistence o

w as we rounded the corner, putting

alone, his expression

voice was quiet, steady. "Wh