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Lexi needed e She knew she had to tell hi with them to blow this place up Eventually, he would find out, and it was going to be easier on both of theuts

She wasn’t sure how he’d react, but she kneouldn’t hurt her She trusted him at least that much, even if it was only because he needed her to survive

The other ry eyes--she was pretty sure they weren’t going to be quite so understanding

Zach stuffed Lexi full of food, hoping that would help relax her She’d been right about theh, and most of those were better handled on a full stomach

He lit solow over Lexi’s living rooht she liked the soft, cos they’d put in her holanced past him and looked around had convinced hiiven her a hoood way Now all he had to do was get her to stay here Maybe let hihts with her in his arms, he didn’t think he’d be able to handle an empty bed

He’d h to hold the two of them, just in case He pro her naked andan obsession

She slid the last bite of chocolate cake off her fork and sat back with a contented sigh

"That was fabulous, Zach Thank you"

"I’m not much of a cook, but I did order it froloith the sroith satisfaction

"I left all the ie for you in case you need so hall"

"Yeah, I’ at me is a little freaky"

Zach stood and held out his hand to her "They’ll get used to you, just like they’re used to Helen now Just give them a few days"

Lexi put her small hand in his, and it looked so perfect there, surrounded by him, protected

"What about the dishes?" she asked

"I’ll set the trays in the hall later No rush"

"But"--she looked froain--"I don’t want to leave a mess"

In her new home She hadn’t said that part, but he could feel it in the air, hovering on her lips

"You want to wash therinned and nodded, like a child asked if they wanted to go into the toy store

Zach shrugged "Whatevertheotten to stock those things for her--but a little while later, they’d finished the do

Who would have thought that so a sink full of dishes couldout soht make her smile

"So, what now?" she asked "It’s dark Do you go iven me a few days off to help you settle in I’ll have to check the schedule, but I think I’ot extra men on the job here since the repairs on the wall still aren’t finished"

Zach led her to the comfy leather sofa, and they sank into its pillowy depths Lexi bounced up and down a couple ti, then settled down beside him She hadn’t pulled her hand away froh his, locking theether

"Will I have a job, too? If I stay, Iher leave, but he decided it was best to keep things light and not go all caves clear

"You and I will be a tean us our duties as soon as you’re able to channelabout that, and I want to practice so yard and try sos, see orks for you"

"What kind of things?"

"Fire is good Kills lots of snarlies Helen kicks ass throwing fire around"

Lexi shook her head,her fine hair sway "I never would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it forto be a lot of seeing- is-believing for you at first I proh I’llto protect yourself is vital That’s my job, but I’m only one man, and I want you to be extra safe, just in case Andra’s pretty good at creating shields, so she ood at blowing things up"

The color slid from Lexi’s face and her hand started to sweat "I think I’ll take a pass on that one Just for now"

Zach ht be a sign what her specialty would be, if Helen’s initial fear of fire was any indication He’d convince her to try so later, but noasn’t the time He wanted her relaxed and comfortable so she wouldn’t notice when he sneaked inside those mental walls of hers Once he was there, once she knew he posed no threat, then they’d deal with the rest