Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 412

Talon leaned in closer. “All you have to do is let Haskell know you’ve released Draven. But instead of sending him back to Haskell, you deliver him to Lucius Lincoln as a gift.”

Solomon instantly understood. He mulled it over for a moment. It was a solid plan.

“Do it,” he commanded. “But my sister’s safe return is the absolute priority.”

“Don’t worry,” Talon assured him. “I’ll handle it perfectly.”

…

Larissa had overheard every word of Haskell’s call with Solomon.

She continued her work, her hands moving deftly. “Solomon must know you have his sister. He’s probably furious. But do you really think he wouldn’t sacrifice her to get to you?”

Haskell put his phone away, his expression calm. “If his own life were on the line, he might abandon her to save himself. But just to take me down? He’s not that ruthless. Not yet, anyway.”

Larissa chuckled. “‘Not yet.’ I like your precision.”

With that, she removed the last needle and closed her kit.

Haskell looked at her, confused. “Why are you stopping? Aren’t there more?”

He had watched her perform the treatment for over two weeks and had memorized the number of needles and their placements. Today, she had used far fewer.

“Your legs were injured by a physical impact, a fracture caused by trauma,” Larissa explained. “Normally, after setting the bone, it would take three to six months of rest to heal. But your injury was complicated. Your muscles and tendons were injected with a necrotizing agent. Anyone else would have been crippled for life.”

“Sage! Snowy! Come on out!” Larissa opened her bag, and the two small snakes slithered out.

Haskell stared.

“From now on,” Larissa instructed the snakes, “you two will be in charge of Haskell’s legs massages. You know the pressure points I taught you.”

Snowy, ever obedient, immediately coiled around Haskell’s right leg.

Sage was less enthusiastic but, not wanting to displease its owner, reluctantly wound himself around Haskell’s left foot.

Haskell stared again. So much for his fantasy of skin-on-skin contact with Larissa.