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He fell silent She could feel the warmth of his hand inches from the nape of her neck His breath stirred her hair, then he dreay "Fine I’ll be in the room next door"

"I don’t want to know that," she said "I’…"

That you’ll meet me tomorrow for breakfast, just because you want to see me

That we’ll tour the city, and you’ll joke with me, and the voices will be a little easier to bear

I’ you don’t exist, Malachi Stay away froht"

She slid her card in the lock, then quickly walked in and shut the door She turned the dead bolt and the sliding lock, then she walked to herand checked the locks there, too When she was sure her room was secure, she sat down on the bed and waited to hear him leave the hallway After a fewto Leo in Turkish

Seconds later, she pushed back the tears that wanted to surface, and her phone was in her hand

"Mo with excitelad you called! How are you liking--"

"These guys Carl hired, Moer "He needs to dial the them completely You know I can"

"But Ava--"

"They practically shoveda pass at me You know me I can take care of myself, and they ay overboard I’m surprised no one called the police Is that the kind of publicity that Carl wants?"

"Who--"

"And one of the at ainst my life! Has there been a threat and you haven’t told me? I mean, I know shit happens, but you’ve always told me if there has ever been any specific--"

"Ava, shut up!"

Her mother never raised her voice She shut up immediately

"I want you to listen to me very carefully" Her mother’s voice sent chills down her neck "Are you alone?"

"Yes"

"The o There was so conflict, and I convinced hi in the city Ava… he didn’t hire anyone else"

She sat on the edge of her bed, breath co in small panicked bursts "Mo you, Ava, they were not hired by us Do you understand?"

She nodded, but no words left her mouth

"Ava, are you still there?" Her mother’s voice was panicked "Carl!"

"I’m here, Mom"

Lies Lies Lies