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"Tick-tock Food will do for now" I pointed "There, an IHOP"

He hauled the big truck into a slow, steady turn "Then what?"

"I ask people i up pertinent answers"

"Assu someone doesn't kill you while you do"

"That's why I'uard"

Thomas parked across three spaces in the tiny, otherwise unoccupied lot of an International House of Pancakes

"I like the scarf," I said I leaned over and inhaled through , but I detected a faint whiff of vanilla and strawberries "She make it for you?"

Thoers of one hand traced over the soft, si Justine, loves: If she'd made it for him, a token of her love, he didn't dare touch it with his skin It would sear hih for him to sainst him

Every time I think my romantic life is a wasteland, I look at my brother and see how much worse it could be

Thoine and we sat for a moment in silence

So I clearly heard a deep male voice outside the truck say, "Don't either of you un's pu "Or I will kill you"

Chapter Nine

W hen there's a gun pointed at you, you've got two options: Either you et lucky, or you freeze and try to talk your way clear Given that I had really lie or run, I ith option B: I held still

"I don't suppose," I asked hopefully, "that this is the full military model?"

"It has individually heated seats and a six-disk CD changer," Thomas said

I scowled "Uh-huh Those are way cooler than silly features like arlass"

"Hey," Thomas said, "it's not my fault you have special needs"

"Harry," said the ht hand, please"

I arched an eyebrow at that Typically the vocabulary of thugs holding guns to your head ran a little light on courtesy phrases like please

"You want me to kill him?" Thomas murmured, barely audible

I twitched ht hand, fingers spread

"Turn it around," said the man outside "Let me see the inside of your wrist"

I did

"Oh, thank God," breathed the voice

I'd finally placed it I turned lass, "Hey, there, Fix Is that a shotgun you're holding to lad to see me?"