Page 72 (1/2)

"And the apartment is vacant because…?"

"It’s between renters" He tossed a glance at"I have a ement company handle my properties for me But I have someone inthat I was the "someone in mind" His implication hit me like a balled fist I took a shaky breath and turned away from him so he wouldn’t see the look onbecause Ada, Emilia?"

My jaw set but I didn’t turn back to him "I hope you don’t mean me"

He paused "And if I did?"

I turned around and faced hi"

"You can now"

I breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly A tiny voice in the back of my head--the voice of cal a kind deed He was helping me out He was--

No Just no

My spine stiffened and sudden tension arced between us "Is this the part where you handpretty?"

His features tightened, al to offer it to you at the rent you’re currently paying for your studio This place is safer than your neighborhood It would put e loss on it"

He looked away "I don’t care about the profit right now" His phone chiain He reached for his pocket and froze when he saw the look on ri and looked at it This time, he took the time to reply by text

I folded my arms over my chest and started to pace

"Emilia--just consider--"

I turned on him, my shoulders and back so stiff I almost wrenched them with the motion "I can’t live here You know it as well as I do"