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Two o A ent up in me It was time to kill, not love I nodded to Michael "Take her"

She jerked out of his hands "What the hell are you doing? I’o with Michael We need to sweep the house and see who else is here Go with him There’s a car outside You’ll be safe there"

She opened her , so I cupped the side of her face Her protests died down

"I can’t be distracted Please Go with hi my forehead to hers

"I’m scared for you," she whispered back

"I know But I’ll be fine" I gave Michael a look "Take her"

"Ca--" she began

But instead of grabbing her arone, and I knew he’d drive her to the house

She was safe E myself that as I looked down at Cole, still unconscious Hearing another gunshot, I left the room We’d come back and pick hiht like the treated like I was helpless I wanted to fight No, it was more than that I wanted to be there to protectme It went both ways now We were an evolved couple, da in the driveway and was behind the wheel andin an instant There’d been a truck beside it, and I knew that was left for Carter and Peter Cole--I reo back"

"No" Michael kept driving

"Cole We have to go back for him We can take him to the hospital"

"Carter will take care of hiruff "And Carter and Peter will be fine They can handle themselves It’s you we need to worry about"

"But--"

"Emma, it’s not just Carter who cares about you" His knuckles hite as they gripped the steering wheel His jaw clenched "It’s us, too We care about you, and we’re like a fa where you’ll be safe Okay?"