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"Single-handedly" Peyton’s eyes drifted to the TV screen across the way and the football gae, literally, would not be alive tonight if it weren’t for the fact that Axe, even after having been shot hied to put his own body in the way of a knife--while a lesser was on his back, beating him with a steel whip"

The world spun around and Elise threw out a hand to steady herself When there was nothing to catch her fall, she stumbled over to the foot of that palace bed of his and sat down

"It was a a faraway look to them "I saw it happen We were stationed on different streets, but there were suddenly slayers everywhere I followed ot hiht Axe was dead, you know?"

"He didn’t say a thing," she whispered

Peyton reached over to the bedside table and picked up a tu drink, e

"I’ve never done anything close to that" Peyton took another drink "Maybe he is the right male for your job, you know?"

"He has been …" She cleared her throat "Perfectly professional Were you hurt last night?"

"No No one else was seriously, either It was like Axe took all of our injuries at once"

Peyton fell silent and so did she … while across the way, that football gae and red-and-white

"What is this?" she asked numbly "On the screen?"

"It’s the Iron Bowl from ’thirteen Auburn–’Bama Auburn ith a one-hundred-and-nine-yard kick back run War Dale"

"What does thatOur vet, who is hu for theo Habits, you know"

Peyton finished his drink, then added, "I can’t believe Axe didn’t tell you"

"I don’t think he cares about showing off"

Peyton laughed "Yeah, he doesn’t give a shit about rew serious "So you want to know about Allishon, huh"

"Yes, I do"

"Okay," he said after a long moment "I’ll tell you"