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But it wasn't Johnny's fault

I’d brought this upon myself

I sat down on the coffee table in front of Jude When my knees brushed his, he moved them so there was no physical contact between us It was a punch to the gut

"Is it?" Jude asked again

I knehat he was askingmy job to keep him happy I hadn’t even remembered that conversation I’d had with Mike until Johnny had e had been done

"It's true that Mike asked et a contract from Hayes"

Jude didn't react At least not physically, anyway But I knehat ht as well be cutting hi Hell, a knife would have been kinder

"Jude, what's happened between us, it has nothing to do with Mike askingto tell hi to become too emotionally involved”

Jude let out a soft chuckle that was anything but huood," heain

"That was all true," I began

"Well, it worked," Jude said softly His voice cracked as he whispered, "I did, Nikolai I trusted you"

Trusted, not trust

Past tense

I felt like I was falling down ahelplessly over sharp stone and hard dirt to an inevitable end that was coh at the same time

Jude got to his feet and crossed his ar

"Jude—"

"Do I get a car, Nikolai?" he asked softly "Or some other consolation prize?"