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He frowned down at her “Are you well?”

“Umm Yes Just can’t believe that happened” She was elated But there was a part of her that was sad she couldn’t fight her own battles, couldn’t stand up for the boys herself “She won’t change her h”

“Snakes never lose their veno it Don’t worry” He reached up with his free hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek The skin tingled in his wake “I can’t give you a ride home, I’m afraid”

“Oh, that’s okay We’ll be fine We can take a bus”

He frowned, sighing “You’re not taking a bus” He turned as a shiny, black town car pulled up behind him He walked over and opened the door “Inside, boys”

Ace whooped Keir still frowned but that was nothing new for her suspicious nine-year-old brother

Crap How to tell him she couldn’t afford to pay the fare for the town car? She couldn’t She sighed She’d get in and have hiuy had tofor this trip

As she slid by hilanced up at him “Thank you,

Jardin”

“You’re welcome, Thea By the way, the car is paid for And I expect you at work on time tomorrow”

7

Carrick couldn’t believe he was so nervous abouta date wasn’t a problehiood for: fucking

Taking a deep breath in, he let it out slowly Just because he’d been treated like an extra dick in his last relationship, which had been a pere, didn’t mean that was all Thea sahen she looked at hie to the table

The past had to stay there That’s what he’d learned over these last couple of years That he wasn’t going toback

It was harder than it sounded, though