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"And you’d never let anything bad happen to ain--feeling sohten in lance over at Ellie, her eyes are open, watching ht

"You’re always doing this," she whispers

"Doing what?"

"Saving me"

I smile, just a bit "I don’t mind"

"Because it’s your job?" she asks

"Yes"

"And because maybe, sort of, you kind of like me too? Just a little?"

A chuckle scratches my throat "Just a little"

She wets her lips, those eyes still holding me close

"Andto you? Even just a tiny bit?"

I knohat I should say, but I can’t bring myself to do it She’ll never reers trace her lovely face slowly, from her teht to touch her Like she belongs to h And they stay closed so long I think she’s fallen asleep Right up until her sweet voice coan?"

"Yeah?"

"One of these daysI’ to save you back"

Seven months later

I SHIFT THE SUV INTO park outside the address Ellie gave me--where her new flat is New se, Prince Nicholas and Olivia’s faot a devoted group of fanboys all her o and her breasts have gained their oitter handle: Elliesweettits--not particularly creative The bottoone out of their way to zoom in on that particular asset whenever possible It pisses me off--a lot More than once I’ve had to restrain rapher’s arse

She’s been living with her sister and her husband since the wedding--in the penthouse of an exclusive high-rise, which has made security simpler Why Ellie wants to move is beyond me, and why she wants to move in November--when it’s colder than Jack Frost’s balls--is a co mystery

It’s as if Tommy reads my mind "Prince Nicholas and your sister’s place is as posh as it gets--tell hs "Believe it or not, Nicholas and Olivia aren’t that easy to live with They’re needs--deeply, disgustingly in love Their roht up there with Snow White and the Prince And I’"

"Does that ot dibs on Cocky"

Ellie chuckles and opens her door without waiting for me to come around and do it for her Hate it when she does that I meet her on the pavement while Tommy climbs out and stands on her other side The three of us look at the big, square building that will be Ellie’s new horotesque Hideous A dump If it hasn’t been condemned yet, it damn well should be

"You sure this is the place?" I ask

Ellie squeals "This is it! The perfect place to findyourself"

She waves a hand at rab the boxes from the SUV and walk inside It’s even worse there The hallway s and the flat is a drab roo paint The floors are rotting in some spots, anddoors The appliances are ancient and caked with grease, a flash fire just waiting to happen

And Ellie’s not exactly responsible with her candles

I set o speak to the prince"

He nods "Took the words out of my mouth"

I point to Ellie "Don’t leave her alone"

Toonna blink"

A while later, I’ across from Nicholas in the library "It’s about Ellie’s new flat Have you seen it?"

He grins "She was going on and on about it at dinner last night She see on her own feet"

"But you haven’t actually seen the place yourself?" I push