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“We who?”

“Me, Gideon, William, and Dante”

She shook her head, lips pursed “No, you don’t You only used irl”

I couldn’t deny that, but she was ours just as ere hers “We belong to you, Sian All you have to do is snap your fingers, and we’ll be whoever you want us to be”

She folded her arms “I just want you to love me” She covered her mouth with her hand “I don’t think I should have said that out loud I asked my birthday cake for that wish It won’t come true now You went and spoiled it No I spoiled it”

My headache was getting worse “It has already co down to her level

“But you don’t like me You hate me”

“I don’t hate you, Sian”

She looked up atbrown eyes and expressive face All I wanted to do was take care of her

“You don’t”

“Sian, I don’t try to figure out what shit to do to make you safe What happened to Fred wasabout you” It wasn’t too far from the truth

“I’m a weirdo,” she said

“Why?”

“I like four guys and I don’t want to pick I don’t want to be with The Society if they can tear us all apart like they did my mom That wasn’t fair”

“We wouldn’t let them”

“How can you stop thehed

“Sian, how about we get in the car? We can talk about this so in on our conversation, do we?”

She pressed her lips together and shook her head “No”

“Good” I smiled “Come on”

Much to my relief, she caot her there

“I’ way to fall You won’t let me fall, will you? You’ll catch me?”

“I will catch you”

She giggled, resting her head against my arm “I love you”

I stopped at the car, liking how that felt as she said it

“Say it again,” I said

“I love you, Mateo” She went onto her tiptoes and pressed a wet kiss to my lips The scent of alcohol was heavy on her breath, but I didn’t care

Don’t kiss her Don’t do anything you’ll regret

I wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to tell her all the reasons she should be le word left my lips

Stroking her hair back, the reckless part of me wanted to throw her over my shoulder, drive her as far away from all the trouble as was possible, and join her The sensible part of ot her into the car, safely I secured her seatbelt