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A lared down at hi jerk You tell oes both ways, you know" Her voice rose to a shout; she couldn’t control it any more than she could her temper "There’s more between us than just sex, and you know it But you’re afraid of me You’re afraid to live"

She unbuckled her ankle cuffs and dropped the her with unreadable eyes, his jaw tight Rage swelled inside her until she choked with it She fumbled with the wrist cuffs They came off finally, and she threw the chest

"Da inside her "I d-deserveto find someone ill appreciate me"

Silence

Furious, she sliced at hi her anymore; you’re just too scared toto keep the sobs inside, she ran fro Ran until she discovered a fence at the far end of the Gardens Wrapping her arh wood Tears slid down her face onto her bare breasts as the angry fire inside of her faded, then died, leaving only ashes behind She wanted to go home, home where her life was safe and nor breath and shook her head at whining like a child not getting so So through the li her The whole place had probably heard her yelling She didn’t care Didn’t care about this place, this lifestyle, or about him either Especially not about him He was so stupid, so dumb, so cowardly, and she…

Wanted hiotten so…attached…as he called it, despite all his warnings?

But she had And he didn’t return the sentiment Fine She wanted to spit at the bitter taste in her mouth Spit at him She’d find someone who did want her There ht of so her made her--

"Kari" Dan’s deep voice calade He stepped out of the shadows, theshadows across his ht, sweetheart I didn’t--"

Growling like an aniainst a tree Kari heard the thud of his head against the trunk He dropped, stunned

She started to run to hilinted in the ht "Buck?" Kari whispered

"You leave her alone, you bastard," Buck yelled Straddling Dan, he punched hi across the clearing She kicked Buck in the back of his head, her bare foot bouncing off his skull

He turned "Kari, honey I heard you yelling I’ll--"

Dan hit hi his spread, waiting for Buck to stand

"You hurt her," Buck spat out, his face contorted with hatred He pushed hihs and hands "I’ll take better care of her than you ever could"

Dan’s face tightened "Just leave, you idiot, while you can"

Buck ju, clubbing Dan’s upper arht beco down his arm "Hell, you’re persistent" Dan crouched andjust out of reach

"Buck, stop," Kari yelled He ignored her "Red, red, red!" she screamed at the top of her voice Oh, God, somebody Please come

Buck jumped at the sound, then turned his head Dan slapped the club aside and slammed a fist into his face, then punched hi his hands up, he caught Buck’s jaw and tossed hiround hard

Relief flooded Kari Thank you, thank you, thank you She released the breath she’d been holding

Master Nolan burst into the clearing, skidded to a stop His glance flickered over Kari, Dan, and then Buck He shook his head "Didn’t know you were into es," he said in a dry voice

Dan snorted Frowning down at his ar slow"

Kari had moved to help him when Master Z appeared He put an arainst his side "Are you hurt, little one?"

"I’ot a kick in"

"Indeed"

As Master Nolan tied soash on Dan’s arm--a silk cloth he probably used for restraints--Kari took a step forward, wanting to ht She stopped herself He didn’t want her She had to relanced at the ed Buck with his foot and got a groan "I’ll even take the garbage out"