Chapter 166

David is standing in the doorway, his presence immediately filling the space and turning the air cold. His cashmere coat hangs open, and his dark eyes lock onto Carver with an unblinking, dangerous intensity.

​Eli forces his muscles to remain completely still, though his heart is slamming against his ribs so violently he is certain the monitor is going to betray him.

He needs a cover story, and he needs it before David recognizes the man standing by the bed.

​“Mr. Reid,” Eli says, forcing a calm expression onto his face. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

​David doesn’t answer immediately. He steps into the room, his boots making no sound on the linoleum floor. His eyes travel from Eli to Carver, lingering on the tailored charcoal suit and the silver hair.

​“This is my uncle, Thomas,” Eli lies smoothly, praying to whatever deity is listening that Carver’s public profile isn’t something David has memorized. “He flew in from out of town as soon as he