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“Okay”

“Got a spare toothbrush I can borrow?” he asked as he released her wrist

“Uh, yeah, cabinet under the sink” She scurried around to the other side of the bed

“Thanks, babe” He cli under the covers

“Uh huh,” she said Her voice was high-pitched like she was nervous and Copper chuckled

There wasn’t a da to touch her Would never touch her Last words her dying father said was to make sure Shell was protected Make sure she was taken care of He’d said, “Don’t let any of the fuckers in this club have her,” right before he took his last breath

Copper wasn’t about to break a proiven him the life he loved

He took a leak, brushed his teeth, then stepped back into Shell’s room There wasn’t much in the way of decoration, probably due to lack of money, but the room was neat and co aAnd not facing him

Copper put a hand on his belt, shook his head, then started for the bed After two steps he said, “fuck it,” and undid the belt The past tie of clothes but fuck if he’d get a good night sleep in jeans He dropped the denim to the floor and stepped out, clad in his boxer briefs and T-shirt It would have to do

He slipped under the covers and tried to pretend his feet weren’t hanging off the edge and hisup more than his fair share of the bed Soft breath sounds ca was probably out cold already

She worked way too much for way too little, and it ood chunk of herdealers

Not anymore

Copper glanced over and watched the steady rise and fall of her back for a few ht side, curled an arainst his body Aside fros, not pats on the arm, not even so much as a handshake Just didn’t trust hie her But as he held her soft body close, he felt more at peace than he’d felt in years Maybe ever