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"She said that even if you were, you wouldn't want to be with her"

So Carrow hadn't denied it And last night, she'd acted as if she'd wanted him to claim her When he'd told her to leave him alone, he'd seen her disappointment

It would be easy to believe she wanted to start a life with hin affection for his protection

Sounds familiar

"But I think you do want to be with her," Ruby said "You were sad on the beach last night when she was hurt"

Sad? He was nigh out of his uished

Yet there were two issues with the witch Malko to lose her Once she found out about his past or returned to her home

And he didn't know if he could ever believe in another again It only broughtmyself what I want most

"We talked about you last night"

"Did you?"

"Yeah, if you'reme, then you do, too You're my stepdemon"

"Stepdemon?"

"Yeah, like a stepdad who's a demon"

Stepdad was sos? To put pressure on hi he'd provide for her and her adopted one Without even asking him

Malkom ran his hand over his face Why would Carroant him for this role?

Why do you think, fool?She and the child were both defenseless here

When Ruby's story"

She grinned sheepishly "Uh-huh"

He gazed from his half-finished pit back to the child, then exhaled "What do you usually eat, then?" He would return and coets, pizza sticks, tangelos, and organic juice boxes"

Puzzled, he asked, "Are those things here?" She shook her head "We could catch so to eat"

She shot to her feet, eyes wide "I love catching things! I catch frogs and spiders and green snakes!"

"Very well" He took his shovel, cli from the pit As he passed her, she stuck her hand up to him