The spare room's window showed a slice of parking lot and a stubborn birch. Mara pressed a new ice pack to my cheek. “Ten minutes," she said. “No more, or you'll freeze a dent."
“I like dents," I said. “They're honest."
Nolan checked the hallway, came back. “He's prowling," he reported. “If he knocks, I'm answering."
“He won't knock," I said.
He didn't. The door banged open like a verdict. Taylor stepped in without looking at anyone but me. He had stripped the hospital from his voice and put Alpha on again.
“No," he said.
I blinked. “To what?"
“To whatever you think you said," he answered. “It doesn't stand."
Mara slid the ice pack into my hand and planted herself between us like a small, furious tree. “Use a handle next time," she told him. “Or a mouth."
“Give us the room," he sa
