“Doby started to swallow but his throat was so dry he coughed. How would he explain that one to von Portzer? One million dollars stolen.”

“A man may daydream of how he would spend a million dollars, but playing the same game with a billion dollars sours the fantasy. There are too many possibilities. The house he once wished for with all his heart is suddenly too small. The travel, too cheap. He wanted to visit an island. Now he contemplates buying one.”

“He swallowed again and tightened his grip so even if she wanted to leave, she couldn’t. It astonished him how difficult it was to find the one word he needed after these exquisite days. The one word he had no right to say.He forced the forbidden syllable from his tight throat.“Stay.”

“Callum swallowed, his throat dry. He didn’t want to think about what that something might be.Ahead, through the trees, he could just see a pinprick of light. Home.”

“A shrewd person would one day start a religion based on coincidence, if he hasn't already, and make a million.”

“The Director was staring at him with an expression of angry awe. "How?" The one syllable was nearly a whine.Kieran coughed his throat clear, spit, grinned. "Pure sex appeal.”