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For ainto December’s palm

December bit back a startled cry at the same moment Kat dropped her hand and stared at her, horrified

"I’m sorry," Kat whispered

Decehost of a grateful sain

"It sounds like we’re on the sae, then," he said "We don’t want the local cops involved any more than you seeht and noto save you, it will look bad that they’re all dead, especially the ones at the main house We broke into that house and it’s obvious teren’t killed in self-defense…" His voice trailed off as he looked at Dece to tell your brother about any of this?"

She was surprised by the bluntness of his question, butto the police or her brother specifically wasn’t soht she’d do Of course she’d never thought to be targeted by crazy radical hateers either December shook her head "I’ll never speak about what happened tonight to anyone"

Connor looked at her for a long moment and must have been convinced of her sincerity, because he nodded once Then his attention turned to Kat again "If you’re willing, I’d like you to go with Aiden to the police station tonight No offense, but you look like shit and if you come in with a story of how you escaped two kidnappers and were found in the woods by one of our pack members, it’ll be more believable now than if you coer you’re here, the bigger chance so held anywhere"

Kat nodded "What’s the story, then? Why did these two men kidnap me and where was I held?" Her voice shook on the last word

Connor’s expression softened "Keep it simple You were held so you have no idea where or for how long They were holding you for ranso for your release Since they wore masks the entire time, you have no idea who they are or what they look like Plenty of people saw you being kidnapped at the hospital and you have no reason to lie to the cops Since the men who actually took you are dead, the cops will eventually close your case as a cold one"

Kat looked at December with raised eyebrows She seemed so unsure of herself it made December’s heart ache "What do you think?"

December nodded "It’s a believable story, and like he said, you have no reason to lie"

Kat lightly bit her botto Decened "If Aiden’s ready, I want to go now I just want to get this over with"

Connor and Liam both stood, but only Connor led her out of the room Once the front door shut behind them, Liam finally spoke, but he didn’t sit back down or ed

December had no answer "I honestly don’t know She hasn’t said much since she’s been back I think she’s in a …whatever happened to her, I think she’s holding up okay"

Liaaze again "I’ed you into all this"

She frowned at hi his distance from her "This isn’t your fault None of it" It wasn’t anyone’s fault except that of sonorant people so consu clearly

He shook his head sharply, as if she hadn’t spoken at all "After Kat was taken, I realized how selfish I’ve been If I’d never forced er You’d never know"--he spread his hands out helplessly in front of him--"all this shit Crazy people wouldn’t be after you You’d be safe"