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“Here ya go, darlin’”

“Thanks, Thunder” She sipped the drink and nodded her approval After a quick wink, he was off taking care of someone else

“Not sure big brother would like you ogling the baby birds like that”

Her spine shot straight Shit Five years of freedo rushed back in the blink of an eye The fear, helplessness, anxiety, guilt, shaative emotion her sixteen-year-old self had been forced to deal hile wholly unprepared Her first instinct was to curl into a tight ball,herself as invisible as possible But she couldn’t cower, couldn’t show fear, couldn’t run Facing Rusty was the only option The frightened sixteen-year-old girl she’d been didn’t exist anyhter to protect above all else Rusty had no power over her

Lie

One threat and she’d be right back where she was Only this time, it was even worse He now had two aces to play Two people Shell would move heaven and earth to protect

Copper and Beth

Rusty wedged hi deep to gather her courage “Welcome home, Rusty”

“Well thanks, doll You reen eyes as Copper Saht Clearly cut from the same physical cloth, the sih, raw, and fierce with a massive heart that bled for each and everyhis own desires at every turn

And one of those wanted to be everything Copper was and then some

To say Shell didn’t trust his motives would be the understatement of the year

“Excuse ht as well get a ju him down” She set her drink down and took a step only to have a strong hand clath

“Don’t think so, doll We’ve got some unfinished business” Hot, stale air wafted across her ear She wrinkled her nose as the strong stench of stale booze and weed hit her nostril Swaying on his feet, Rusty jerked her closer

He was bombed Which only made him more unpredictable She would know