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“Will it work better if we do that?” I asked “Will it help us find Gio faster?”

“Aleks—” Vaughn began, but he quieted when I squeezed his hand and then did to hian running my thumb back and forth over his

“There’s no guarantee,” King began

I sighed and looked at Vaughn briefly, then back at King “But you wouldn’t have mentioned it if you didn’t think it would help”

King didn’t respond

It was answer enough

“I think we should do it,” I said, even as my mind screamed at me to keep my mouth shut, or to at least say no

“No,” Vaughn said “Out of the question” He released my hand and jumped to his feet

“Vaughn—” Con began, but Vaughn cut him off

“No! We’re not risking it It’s not up for discussion!”

With that, Vaughn suddenly left the rooo No one in the room moved or spoke I knew there was a lot left to discuss, but it would have to wait But there was one thing I could take care of before I went to find Vaughn

“King,” I murmured

“Yeah, Aleks,” King said I could hear in his voice that he knehat I was going to say It appeared that Vaughn was the only one trying to deny the inevitable

“Get us into that party,” I said softly, then climbed unsteadily to my feet

It was Luca who said, “He’ll be by the water… east side of the house” He pointed in the direction for me

I nodded my thanks and then left the room It wasn’t hard to find hiot closer and saw the white wooden bench he was sitting on, I knew itout