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He exploded, "What?" and just stared at me for, like, a wholehe could die from? Soon?"

I propped my elbow on lared at him "You mean, like, before he solves the problem you need him to solve? That’s all you’re worried about Yes He could He has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy The heart condition that drops athletes like a stone on the basketball court"

He stared atmoment then said, "But he looks so healthy"

"So do all those athletes that die on the playing field," I replied coolly "So? Can you?"

He turned back to the wall and stared out through the glass again I waited in silence No point in trying to rush Ryodan He was a ood and ready

When he finally turned back around, my heart sank like a stone His silver eyes were cold, remote

"Can’t Or Won’t?" I snarled

"Ah, Jada Can’t"

"Bullshit! How did you save Dageus?" I demanded

He returned to his chair, sat down, steepled his fingers, and studied thelanced at me and said softly, "If there was a way I could help him, I would And not because I need his help Because you care about him"

"Don’t be nice to me," I snapped

His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed "Christ, aren’t we past this? Did I only iine that you and I reached a new phase in--"

"What? Our relationship? Dude, people like you don’t have relationships They have…they have…cartels and doms and, and…" I couldn’t think of another word Actually, the problem was I couldn’t think Not with ave me an exasperated look "Dani, you know better than that"

"Mac gets to call me Dani You don’t And no, I don’t You’re alwaysto control the?" He was around the daain "Why are you looking at me like that?" I snarled

He shook me, not hard, more a shake of ia

"Let it go, Jada Just let it go," he said roughly

"That Dancer could die?" I yelled "You want et it You think I should just take hi to die and it’s sht now so it doesn’t hurt as much when he does!"