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Ethan had panicked when she’d hugged iven him the smallest shake of my head when he’d tried to stop hissince she’d wanted Ethan back in her arht away

It had been brutal to watch his family learn the truth about what had happened to hione, and that hadn’t even taken into account how much he’d left out It hadn’t really mattered because his family had suffered anyway There’d been lots of tears and outrage, but there’d been a lot of joyous moments for Ethan too He’d discovered his sister was ed They’d shared dozens and dozens of stories in the few hours we’d spent with theoodbye, there’d been another round of tears and hugs and proain, but it had been easier the second tiher son ho woman a threat, so I’d held her and promised I would do exactly as she’d asked

I’d decided that we should fly out right away rather than stay at a hotel on the off chance that Eric atching the fah his phone and credit cards, but he’d been quiet in the past teeks

Too quiet for

After landing this one to a hotel near the airport after grabbing the rental car Ronan had had waiting for us We’d checked in, but Ethan had been too on edge to sleep so I’d et the task of retrieving the contents of the safe deposit box over with

“You see anything?” I asked Jace

Silence for a ood”

The location of the bank was in a quiet neighborhood of mostly Mom and Pop type shops and small businesses There were a few people out and about which helped us blend in I’d had Ethan wear a baseball cap and a windbreaker over his T-shirt I’d debated having hi on his face but had decided they’d look suspicious if he wore them inside the bank

Ethan was tense as we reached the sidewalk and passed by a narrow alley before reaching the entrance to the bank He already had the safe deposit key out, along with his ID Since he’d ditched his ID after taking off with Lucy, Ronan had had to get creative and had a new onethe picture froencies had used for their reports – it was the picture that had once been on the hospital website where he’d worked

The bank was a small, outdated establishment, so it hadn’t surprised me when Jace had let me know that his reconnaissance before our arrival had revealed the absence ofable to carry a gun with h I had no reason to think I’d need it The place wasn’t busy at all e entered so within a matter ofblazer was greeting us

“How can I help you today?” she asked

“I’d like to access my safe deposit box,” Ethan said, his voice calhhimself because I kneas scared shitless

“Of course I’ll just need to see some ID,” the woman said as she motioned to a desk Neither Ethan nor I sat as she looked up Ethan’s inforlanced at hi into a frown for the briefest of moments, presumably as she took in his battered face and tried to confirm it really was him

“Right this way, Mr Rhodes,” she said as she got up and motioned for us to follow her to a side door She led us to the roo with Ethan’s to open his box She re, silver drawer and placed it on a table in the middle of the room

“I’ll be outside if you need

Ethan’s hand was shaking as he tried to insert his key to open the box I covered his hand with mine and said, “Deep breaths, Ethan”

He nodded and did as I said Several long h to work the box open I saw him hesitate at the last minute before he lifted the lid I had no doubt he was preparing himself for all the memories that would flood his brain theI didn’t rush him in any way and when he finally opened it, I waited for the inevitable fall But when his mouth fell open and his eyes ide, I stiffened and went around to his side of the table