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Malachi glanced at Daht back"

"And I’ll call uess I’ll tell her… so"

By the time Malachi returned to the roo a very elaborate story about Malachi and the old bodyguard e , and Ava was fine, and it had all worked out for the best

Because she and Malachi were now involved in a ind ro that could distract Lena Matheson, it was speculating about her daughter’s love life Plus, Ava figured that it would keep herabout the nonexistent grandchildren Ava htat the entwined couple, tracing the edges of the page and re the way that Malachi’s touch had lit her skin from within

"Ava?" His voice was soft and solemn

"Hey"

"How is your mother?"

"Happy, actually I convinced her that it was all a , and we’re now involved in a torrid affair That’ll distract her" She kept her eyes on the book Now that they were alone, she didn’t kno to act around hie Was it natural? Normal? If he was really part of sos she wouldn’t otherwise feel? Her heart told her Malachi was trustworthy, but a lifetime of rejection warned her to be cautious

Malachi said, "That would have distracted e sort of sadness in his tone A tone that told her, so delicate had shifted He stood a little farther back, and a shadow tinged his voice

"Your e and tried to pretend the shadoasn’t there "She’s…"

"She was Irina Our women are called Irina"

"Ah And you think I’old leaf on the woman’s skin, illuminated just as hers had been when Malachi touched her

"I think you have to be"

"You think I’htly ht a chair over and sat across froly with that"

"It’s not what humans think"

"But you think I’m like you" She pointed to the woh the book a bitback to the picture of the couple he’d left the book open to at first

Malachi said, "You’re taking this all rather well No running and screaeles by now"