Page 41 (1/2)

"Godda to understand what is really going on here Trying to intuit why Damien’s refusal to attend the dedication and his very public announcement as to the reason ht say that Richter abused him, and he certainly didn’t say that his father was involved Is that what Jeremiah fears will come next? That once Da out? If, as I suspect, that truly is the rest

I don’t know, and all I can do is hold tight to Damien’s hand

Damien has not responded to the criticis at the elder man’s face, his eyes narrowed as if the oldervariable

When he finally speaks, I do not understand the context: "How ?"

"I don’t knohat you’re talking about," Jerry says, sitting up straight, his eyes wide as a child getting chastised Even I can see that he is lying

"Let’s get this straight," Damien says "I aet out Edward, pull over" We’ve circled three blocks, and noe’re at Pershing Square, two full blocks from where we started

"I’m not even parked near here"

"I don’t care," Da the door open Jerry hesitates, then looks from Damien to me "Does she knoouldn’t tell her, Damien," he says, and there’s malice in his voice "If you want her to stay, I wouldn’t tell her a thing"

He gets out, and Edward ione as h his hair and sighs "I’m sorry," he says

"So, you’ve uess that ht e "Hey," I say "It’s okay"

"Very little about this entire day falls into the category of okay"

"Oh, I don’t know," I say "I rather enjoyed dancing with you"

"Yes," he says "So did I Coht beside hiainst hiers are idly stroking my arm I slide down and put s up on the seat as Damien strokes my hair Part of me wants to stay like that forever, warm and safe in Damien’s lap But another part of me has questions--so many questions I want to understand what Da about--why he cares so much whether or not Damien endorses the tennis center But I don’t want to ask--I want Damien to tell me because he wants me to know

If you want her to stay, I wouldn’t tell her a thing

I shiver I can think of nothing so horrible that I would walk away fro exists that is so bad it could rip us apart? Or do I siination to think of it?

Damien holds me calmly for the short drive to the Tower apartment

He ree beneath Stark Tower