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We worked in silence as she got out a cookie sheet and got the bread in the oven I already had the sauce and noodles going so she went to sit down at the kitchen table

“You’re not going to leave us alone, are you?” she finally asked

Her bluntness was a surprise

“All ant to do is help you and Ethan,” I said softly

“Why?” she asked, the doubt in her voice clear

“Because you need it,” I answered simply

The girl fell silent I waited until the noodles were sih so the water wouldn’t boil over and then I forced o sit down at the table across frohtened of me as before, but she was definitely wary as her eyes kept darting up to meet mine as if to prove to me and herself that she wasn’t afraid of me

Brave girl

“Who is he, Lucy?” I asked “Who’s after you and Ethan?”

She shook her head “Not ive a shit about me He just wants Ethan”

“Who?”

She didn’t respond right away, but I was caught off guard by the tears that started to slip fro “He was going to kill him,” she whispered “He was on top of hi to stop this time”

“This tiain and stiffened her jaw

“I should go check on him,” she said softly as she used her sleeve to wipe at her face I didn’t say anything as she hurried past me

I forceddinner, but Lucy didn’t return to the kitchen and I didn’t blame her

My appetite was gone too

Chapter Four

Ethan

What did I tell you Ethan?

I knew that tone in his voice It was the tone he used when he didn’t really want or need an answer to his question Not answering would earnwould

It didn’t reallyhi but lie there under his body, his legs on either side ofhands tightened around my neck I didn’t wait for him to let up the incessant pressure onto