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NINETEEN

THEY’RE WAITING FOR US WHEN WE RETURN WELL, Marcus and his creay It’s late and lance, I don’t notice anyone on the main floor below us It’s quiet as a tos out "What’s she doing here? Where is Tabatha?"

I’ain I realize this as Marcus and his thugs crowd around the base of the stairs, backing away only to give us room e reach the botto

"You didn’t blindfold her again?" Marcus’s gaze flits over us, presu for the scrap of fabric that served as a blindfold

Junie sighs "Not this again"

"Yes, that!" Ruben takes a round, not even flinching She trains wide eyes on him as she lifts her chin Like she’s more than ready to take hier in my direction "I want her--"

"They’re dead, Marcus Tabatha All of thelance at him A vein throbs in his temple I notice his eyes are bloodshot He’s tiredand bla himself

"How?" Marcus demands, his nasal voice especially sharp Some of the color bleeds from his cheeks He’s not unaffected

"They were attacked--"

"And she was spared?" Marcus waves a hand at ry rush of blood "Isn’t that convenient?"

Caden grasps my arm and skirts me around Marcus and Ruben "We’ll talk about this tomorrow"

Feet pound after us "No, Anderson Not tomorrow--"

Caden jerks to a stop and whirls around "Not now, Marcus It’s late We’ve been through enough for a day," he growls, his voice tight and shaking with e his uess he understands that to push any further would be crossing a line Caden resuht to Junie’s roo into the space after us

Caden’s eyes scanThose bloodshot eyes stare so intently I know there’s a lot going on inside him "I’ll have Phelps come check you over"