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She groped for lightness, smiled “That sounds ominous”

He clenched his fists, unclenched thehter, al up with GAO were on the spur of the moment, you’re unaware of many basic facts about the land And about the specifics of the ned up for I don’t believe you know I am the mission’s leader I should have mentioned it”

Her heart did stop this time Then it stumbled in a cacophony of shock and elation This meant—this meant she’d have thole hted step towards hiain …”

He took a step back,you to join theJanaan like that flashflood had the disaster areas

Seeing her eyes losing their aniistered, was alet all his resolutions Alainst her pain, delivered the answer he’d been rehearsing since he’d woken up “It’s for the best”

She lowered her eyes, visibly struggling to keep the sudden tears that had filled theling with the urge to rave and rant, trying to justify his decision, begging her to approve it, to exonerate him, to understand it was for her best

“You don’t want a wo I kno men of your culture view easy women, and you no doubt think me that, think I’d be a liability”

That hat she saw? “Janaan …”

She raised eyes glittering with hurt and determination “I ad happened between us But if you’re afraid I think you’ve given ht to pursue you, that I’ll ravely e while joining an effort I alished to join Once it’s over, I’ll leave this country, where I’m clearly not welcome”

Malek would have been a crazy with fury at her conclusions

She thought he believed her easy for offering hiht of unparalleled, unrepeatable solace? When he’d never known such content, with another huuilelessness, her trust, by her fervent desire to lift his burdens and by how she truly had just by being near, even when he couldn’t bring hih they hadn’t ether had been his life’s first true inti it

And that was exactly why he had to send her away

If she stayed within reach, he’d reach out for her And she’d reach back And she’d get hurt

He was teo He couldn’t He owed her the truth At least so her clearance

“Janaan, every word you just uttered is pure insanity There’s no one like you And I want you I want you, Janaan And that makes it unethical of me to include you on a mission where I’m not only your leader but your host and sponsor, too It would be abusing ave a little laugh, a cornered, incredulous sound “The concept of abusing your power doesn’t even apply You’re not my employer I’ all I can offer of my own free will, for free”