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I’otten more of Luc’s lecture on evasive un

"You were oblivious," she said, stepping in front ofa feathered hair clip in her hand Shemy scalp in the process

"I bet you didn’t even know that I loved Violet"

I worked to concentrate against the pain "Violet? You two?

"Were in love," she said "Not that you’d notice, busy as you were flirting and whoring with every "

I guess Iris hadn’t thought much of my life choices

"I’m sorry she died, Iris But I didn’t know she was alive I didn’t know anyone else was alive I thought everyone was dead We were best friends Do you really think I wouldn’t have come back for you if I’d known? That I wouldn’t have helped you out of there?"

She looked h to her But the haze of trauain

She leaned forward "You Are Lying Everything that happened to me is your fault It has to be"

And there it was She wanted someone to blame, even if there wasn’t cause for it Even if she could understand what had actually occurred

She’d gotten me here, and there was no doubt she intended to end the story tonight But I needed tiet free

"You paid Danny?" I asked, trying to keep her busy while I struggled against the binding onintothat ht son of a bitch," she said, spitting onto the floor beside ht--the past is past to hi to take a coin So he found me a man, and that man did a deed It took every last penny I’d scrimped and saved to make him take on the task, powerful as you are now But it orth it, wasn’t it? Because here you are"

She lint of steel in her hand A handgun, 9mm I had little doubt she would einning of her plans for ,tiretted retted I’ the words across miles, as if he could hear me I’m sorry I pushed you away I love you I love you an to fall in earnest, but I wasn’t a coward I looked up at Iris, un atout like explosions, and I instinctively braced for i

Shocked to the core, I looked down Spots of blood appeared on Iris’s dress, and she fell to her knees, clutching her stomach

"Lindsey?"

That was Luc’s voice

Dear God, it was Luc He was here He’d come for me

He appeared behind her, in his uniforun clattered to the floor, he kicked it away and out of her reach

"Jesus, Linds!" Luc raced tohis lips to mine He pulled a bandanna from his pocket and dabbed at what I assumed was blood on my face "You like to cut it close"

At the same time, four men in black suits walked cal, severe face and was reholstering the gun that had floored Iris, nodded at Luc They picked her up, an to escort her out of the room

"Who was that?" I asked, perplexed, as Luc worked the manacles and zip ties

"New York’s sup department They have that business tied down"

"Have them check the Green Clare, find Danny," I said "Ensure this is done That Rachel’s safe"

"Guys?" Luc said

"On it," said the long-faced man

I looked down at Luc on his knees beside me, and could hardly fathom the fact that he was here, how lucky I was that he’d come, that I had a second chance, that I was alive

But hts on to ood ol’ commitment-phobic Lindsey "I told you not to conored you"

"You shouldn’t have"

"In which case, you’d be full of bullet holes, which I do not find attractive in a woman"

I couldn’t help but smile "How did you find me?"