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I et out of the car but was surprised when Hayes's cane sprang up between rabbed it and yanked it frorasp, but I chose to look at him instead Like with Archer, his eyes were unexpectedly filled with emotion The validation that he definitely had soe sinking feeling, but I pushed it aside It was absolutely none of my business

"Can you protect him?"

There was just the slightest tremor in Hayes's voice as he asked the question

"Not if you interfere," I said

The reement that he wouldn't "I will speak to Jude tomorrow," he finally said

I shookClifton Hayes off, but he didn't fight me on it "I'll also need more specifics on what kinds of threats you or he have received I don't care how snificant you think it is, I want to see it"

It seemed to take forever for Hayes to nod his head I didn't even kno to process it when he did He lowered the cane back to the floor, which I took as a dismissal "I'll be in touch," I said as I stepped out of the car I paused and added, "Thanks for dropping the charges, by the way" I leaned in so Hayes could see I was being serious because, despite everything, he’d done me a solid when it came to that

"I didn't," the ht before the driver shut the door, I heard Hayes add, "Jude did"

Chapter 4

Jude

Fro’s doors, I felt them