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"I'm here, Nikolai," I responded

"Don't go, okay?" he et out His words were heavily slurred "Stay"

My heart juo anywhere anyway, but to know that he wanted loith a level of happiness that threatened to steal h for Nikolai to add, "Not safe out there"

Then he was out and I was left to dwell on the single fact that I'd conveniently et

I was Nikolai's job

Just a job and nothing more

Chapter 13

Nikolai

I hated waking up with a hangover In my line of work, I couldn't afford to lose even a er picture but sometimes a man had to make exceptions Like when you learned the kid you lovedthe battle of a lifetime In my book, that warranted a drink or two… or a dozen

The sun was just breaking over the horizon when I woke up the followinginon my tired brain with his hammer to punish me for my foolishness

I was one of those drinkers who didn't have the luxury of forgetting all the stupid things he did when he overindulged, so I re the part where I'd let ainst Jude's in the hopes that he'd o away

My memory turned to action as I looked around the aparth Panic consuot to my feet and headed for the door My phone chose thatI had to search it out from where it had fallen between the cushions of the couch When I snatched it up and saw ot about everything else "Elena, how is he?"