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Lana had to kiss hiain She couldn’t stop herself "Thank you for this," she told him

He discarded the now rainbow-colored ipe and puled her against his body He was just leaning down to take a serious kiss when a new group of girls filed into the tent, announcing theh-pitched screeches "Eeew!" shouted one of the younger girls, and the others broke into uncontrolable giggles

Caleb sighed and let her go with a wink instead of a kiss "Back to work I’l co most of the tents so you’l have irls, unable to quit s The auction was scheduled to start in an hour and would be held inside the gy showed up, she was sure they’d do wel

Lana entered the youth center, letting the cold rush of air-conditioning wash over her Sweat cooled on her skin and she lifted her dark hair off her neck to help the process along She could smel popcorn and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies People lined the cafeteria tables, having snacks or just taking a few ym was partitioned off and set up with chairs for the auction Al of the paintings were hung on display above the height of sticky little fingers, and dozens of people stroled around, looking at them

"Lana!"

She turned at the sound of her na graying hair was in a loose bun and her crisp white shirt was perfectly pressed

Her cheeks were pink with exciteave Lana a war to be okay Intelectualy, Lana had known it, but until now, she hadn’t felt it Now that she did, the weight on Lana’s shoulders seeentle hug "What are you doing here?" she asked Stacie

"I couldn’t stay away today I had to co yourself"

"I’ here counts as that I want to start back to work next week"

"What does your doctor say?"

"That I should decide what I can and can’t handle for irl" That last was delivered with the rinning "Point taken You know I’d love to have you back as soon as you’re able"

"I could co for another couple days and I want to spend that time with her"

"Take al the ti of ti o"

Lana’s face was a carefuly neutral mask "No I haven’t seen her"

"That’s odd She’s usualy very punctual"

Kara wasn’t sure where the authorities were taking her, but she doubted she was going to like it She eyed the ar, orold Either way, her time was nearly over, and somehow, that was okay

She’d stayed loyal to Marcus and protected his identity even when they’d offered her her freedo for her in ti the video out her carShe didn’t think they’d seen her do it, but even if they had, it would probably be a useless mess of crushed plastic, thanks to the heavy traffic on I-70 She could die proud of herself knowing she’d saved theto die After they finished using her, they’d get rid of her No records No paperwork No trace she’d ever existed

At least Marcus would remember her She took coht Tires squealed The van tilted and finaly tipped onto its side Kara’s head slammed into the metal wal several tiht hi her to the van rattled, and outside, she could hear short, sharp bursts of gunfire

The van slowed to a screauard recovered and drew his weapon just as the back doors of the van opened Another aret her into one of the cars I’l cover you"

The too-young guard fumbled for the key Gunfire slowed but didn’t stop It seeed to unlock her cuffs

Kara scurried out of the van The guard covering the a hit

She was momentarily stunned and looked up in shock to where the shot came from Marcus was there, crouched behind a thick tree not thirty feet fro to take her home

A broad smile stretched her face Marcus sht at her

Disbelief froze her in place Marcus wasn’t here to save her or bring her back home He was here to silence her To kil her

"I didn’t tel the her voice weak and holow

"I know," he said "And you never wil"

Kara saw the tendons in his aruard saw it, too He shoved her hard, pushing her to the side

A gun went off, then another Two h her, but the pain never came She didn’t wait around to see what happened She raced for the closest car--one of her arnition and the unned the engine The tires shrieked, but she didn’t relent