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"I’m not her mother," Mary choked out "Oh, God … I’m not really her ive the to be real I can feel it The uncle … is real"

"Maybe so" Lassiter stood up again "But why don’t I keep these just in case, ’kay?"

He strolled off, hair dripping, clothes a old jewelry he wore like part of the sun stuck with him even when he was indoors

Mary looked at the archway through which Rhage and Bitty had disappeared

When she felt like she could walk that far … she got up … and did

TWENTY-SIX

The following evening, Elise was in her bathroo across the marble counter

She went for the thing so fast, she nearly fuht onto the floor

But it wasn’t Axe

"Finally," she said as she turned off the dryer

"What kind of hello is that?" the ive so to call back"

Peyton, son of Peythone, cursed softly "I’m sorry I’ve been busy But I’m all yours now You okay?"

She turned away froainst the counter It was hot in her fuzzy pink bathrobe, but she was keeping the thing on: Even though they weren’t FaceTiht to be naked while she talked to her cousin

"Why did you try and buy off Axe?"

There was a silence "So this is about your new bodyguard, huh"

"That was really insulting to him"

"Leuarding you? Do you know anything about hi question? If it is, just answer it already, will you I don’t want to play games"

"Elise, your fa in this house, okay? Like I don’t kno ?"

"Yeah, and I was the one who had to look Allishon’s parents in the eye when I told the overue with you"