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They both verbally stumbled, then Cannon said, "It’s Saturday"

"So? The bank is open" She slanted an accusing gaze at Ary appealed

"So ould the two of you assume I’d miss work?"

Armie half turned his head "They expect you to come in?"

"They offered me the day off I said no thank you"

Wow Okay, so it could be that, like hiive her time to dwell on the violence

Firmer now, Cannon said, "Come home with me and we’ll talk it over"

"It’sher brother the heat she’d thrown Aruest room for you"

"Cannon" She smiled at hi But really, I don’t want coht, and I don’t want to miss work tomorrow I just I want to deal with it, you know?"

He touched her chin "You don’t have to deal with it alone"

Her bottom lip quivered, and damn it, Ar inner strength Few strong people wanted to advertise their moments of weakness "Let up, Cannon She knows she can count on you, but ht now she just wants soh hell and probably felt like cruo, but she’d never do that with an audience

"That’s it exactly," she said quickly, and then with an appealing pout, "Please understand"

Cannon studied her face, glanced at Ar as you check in a few tih sounded of tears and heartache and gratitude "I bet you drive Yvette insane"

Cannon softened "Grant ht to worry about the people I love" He pulled her coat lapels closer under her chin "It can be one of your usual es if that es consisted of Rissy was here She left those three small words in texts whenever someone missed her call She sometimes left notes, or in his case, wrote in the dust on a truckArmie knew her philosophy was that she wanted folks to know she’d stopped by or called, but didn’t want the she’d be in touch, Armie felt as much relief as Cannon did

"I’ll drive you home," Cannon offered

She bent another stern look on him "I want my car I don’t want to be ho her start to shiver in the cold "Ride with Cannon and I’ll bring your car"

"But you’re hurt You need--"

"A shower," Ar his hands on those two creeps again "That’s all"

She looked at the cut on his head, which had thankfully stopped bleeding due to the butterfly bandage, and then the other bruises on his face

"You’ve seen hts"

"Not really" She searched his face "Armie, I--"

Softly, he said, "I know We’ll talk later, okay?"

She turned to her brother "You knohat he did?"