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"We’re practically twins," I agreed

"Are your pants leather?"

I looked down, embarrassed to be called on it by a tween in a pleated tartan skirt

"Yes"

"That’s cool"

"Penelope, stop pestering Secret," herher playfully with the hand towel The fa hter had "It’s a pleasure to finally ot my Desi to h bubbling up I failed Desmond shot me a look

"I’m Grace" We shook hands Her skin was soft, and she sio Beverly Hills perfu on her clothes It wasn’t fresh, so she ularly

"Secret" She already knew my name, but it would have been rude to leave her introduction unanswered "It sreat in here"

It did sh I didn’t typically eat real food, the arorowl Grandmere never went overboard on food at holiday athered cooking for a family of adult olves meant food had to be plentiful

"Desi, honey, I need so Can you run up to Paradiso--?"

"I can go," Penny insisted

"Penny" Grace’s tone eary and definitive I was a

"Mom" The look on Penny’s face spoke volumes In a house filled with iven any independence, especially when she was so er than her brothers Alpha males were overprotective by their very nature I also knew a thing or two about being condescended to and I wanted to stand up for the girl, but it wasn’t my place

"It’s just down the block, Mom" Desmond came to his sister’s rescue "And Doht take him until the New Year I’m sure she’ll be fine"

Overwhele to speak up My s like the ones hanging on theledge next to the tree One of which boreemotions threatened to undo me

I wanted to protect Penny, but fro in weeks, none of the bodies belonged to anyone younger than Ashley Parsons, and I didn’t want to ue

"Okay" Grace caved under the pressure of her children’s collective gazes and plucked a five-dollar bill fro roo Straight there and home, understand?"

Penny’s response was lost to rand

Chapter Twelve

A half hour later Christ up the phone in the kitchen and cari they can do They ‘appreciate our concern’, but she hasn’t been gone long enough for the person"

Grace nodded, keeping her cool rehter had vanished off the street But judging by the hard set of her jawline and the death grip she had on the dishcloth, the calm exterior was a lie The house was still filled with the ho was burning and it made the situation feelus with a wall of cold air, and Doave a halfhearted apologetic s his coat He knelt in front of his esture ood

"Eddie at the Paradiso said she cahbors, but she didn’t stop anywhere and no one re"

Grace’s breath heaved and finally she broke Tears strea to h The towel fell from her hands

I stared at the front door and foundPenny the way she looked as she left, with her bright red parka and her white hat with its oversize yarn pom-pom that bounced up and dohen she trotted down the steps

I shouldn’t have let her go

Guilt clawed at the inside ofaround the room I could see I wasn’t alone Everyone sees Each of us ht noe had done soone instead, or Dominick had seen her on the street? Could we have prevented any of this fro and we all ju to silence the inappropriately cheerful ringer It was the office Giving Desmond a nod, I said, "I have to take this"