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"Death," she says, repeating what I’ve told her

"Yes Death That is the honest truth I would tell no one else"

"I guess I’m selfish with you because I need you to sharemore"

I open my mouth to shut her down, but I know it’s a mistake I don’t want to ht But I will"

"When?" she presses

"Soon"

She leans back and holdsmy face "Pro, and to give it to her and not mean it is a betrayal I knoould not overco to see the fear in her eyes that I myself fear that this part ofto tell me, are you?"

There is defeat in her voice that I am certain will turn to withdrawal if I let it, so I cup her face "Damn it, woman, you’re stubborn I will soon I proainst hers, and we can’t get enough of each other, soet enough of h of her Our bodies sway and rock and I forget the pro but her touch, her taste But when finally we are sated, her body in front ofto her steady breathing And then, I think about that promise I cannot betray I have to tell her about Martina and it has to be soon But I will not put fear in her eyes I will end this before I tell her, no matter what I have to do to make it happen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

EMILY

I wake to a shadowy rooh the curtains hiding the wall of s in the bedroo the air, the sheets, and my skin, but he is not here I know this even before I roll to my back, and I a a war against not just his family, but also himself I know that now, and it lance at the clock, noting the seven AM hour, proof I’ve slept later than I should have, and that the shadowy rooht is still with us