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But he kneas getting close to dawn

"Elise? You awake?"

"Mot to be alo home"

She lifted her head off his pec Her eyes were sleepy in the dying firelight, her lips swollen from his kisses, her cheeks still flushed

"I want to stay here," she said

"I want you to stay here, too But do you think that’ll help your situation? It’s up to you"

She frowned and became very quiet for a while "I’m sorry I came early, by the way"

"Not by much Besides, you’re welcome anytime, all the time I never lock up Just come in"

"I got here before ht"

"Why?" He passed his palive a shit Move in if you want"

Holy fuck, did he just say that?

"I was upset And I had nowhere else to go"

All at once, his protectiveback on the alert in spite of its injuries "What happened? And who do I need to kill"

Yeah, he was only partially kidding on that last one

At least she smiled a little But it didn’t last "I, ah … well, I told you that my cousin was killed? You remember?"

"Yeah Of course"

"Well, I went into her room After you left? I didn’t really plan on it, it just kinda … it here I ended up And I went into her closet--I was cleaning things up in there It was such a mess Such a mess … clothes everywhere, shoes …"