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A tentative alliance existed between Matt’s employer, Giovanni Vecchio, and Baojia’s sire, Ernesto Alvarez, randdaughter But like e and reputation didn’t exist in any city without tension He was a fire vah Beatrice’s influence and her mate’s desire for a low profile that Giovanni and Ernesto could exist in the sa each other For Ernesto to look weak to Beatrice’s husband would tilt the alliance in Giovanni’s favor, which would throw off the delicate balance of power

Matt heaved a sigh Baojia could hear from 120 miles away, even without the phone connection "I swear vah school so exactly what Matt e, huuy who has to clean shit up when things get messy"

He smiled Matt was human, but Baojia still considered him a peer, and a coet Matt to work for him, but the human preferred his is

"We have to make sure Beatrice doesn’t hear about it," Dez said "She and Natalie were friends, too If B hears that Natalie may be in trouble--"

"She and Gio will step in," Matt added "And if they step in--"

"I won’t have to worry about being stuck in San Diego anymore," Baojia said "Because Ernesto will killaround down here" He walked to the giant s that looked over the water and crossed his ar Ivan’s ire? Or Ernesto’s? And as he still concerned about that annoying human woman who had complicated his life? "Just distract your friend, Dez However you can"

"I’ll do round He’d forgotten Matt had recently becoht pause "Baojia?"

"Yes?"

"I know I’ve kind of reat person And she’s really dedicated to helping people with her work Just… keep that inhappened to her If she gets in trouble, will you help her?"

He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to ignore the weight of obligation she was thrusting on hiiven a job, he was incapable of not seeing it through

"Baojia, please"

He shook his head in resignation "I’ll do what I can to keep her safe"

Shit, shit, shit Why couldn’t he just say no?

"Thank you I won’t forget it"