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"This is one of uy over

"He was at ot inside," I repeat in a stauy’s eyes open and then focus onfor," Kai says, helping Pika sit up

"What do youfor you?" I look at the injured ests softly, grabbing my hand

"No" I shake his touch off and cross my arlare at Kai

"There was no reason to," he says, looking at

"No reason?" I shake my head in disbelief His audacity is absolutely ridiculous

"He was doing a job," Aye chio up in front of him to warn me off

"I’m sorry," Pika says as Kai helps him to stand

"You’re sorry? You’re sorry you allowed men to follow you into my shop, or are you sorry you watched as Thad kickedhim to stop? Or are you sorry that you set my bakery on fire? Please clarify which part you’re sorry about!" I yell, and my chest heaves as I attempt to take a full breath

"All of it," he whispers, unsure, looking at me then Kai

"Thanks I feel sothrough the three of the roootten over what happened, but since being here, I’ve found it easy to pretend like I’ hiuard down, and that is soain

I rush out of the house and walk out to the water’s edge until the waves rush over my feet

"If he could have helped you, he would have"

I look over my shoulder, toward the sound of Kai’s voice, and watch hi another shirt

"He would have, but he knew he couldn’t risk the, turnto acknowledge his words "He watched" I take a deep breath, letting the smell of the salt water clearet lost in the sound of the waves crashing against the shore

"I’ve known him since I was seventeen," Kai says closer toan arm around my shoulders "If he could have stopped it, he would have"

I stiffen slightly before forcing my body to relax and lean into his ery I’ry I couldn’t do anything even when I had done everything to ry that I never took into consideration the amount of fear I would feel when I came face-to-face with a part of ot," I whisper, shaking e and red