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“So we can get er you alluded to? So you can protect me?”

“Partly Partly so we can live together”

“We’re already living together I’ve slept here every night this week”

“Out of necessity This is a teout for you, and for us; a place to stay over e’re stuck late in the city But a home? No way It’s a coffin with a bathroom, with the continuous ruot a cozy cottage, seven acres, and three hounds who are about to er And I’ll be joining them”

Sloane could feel herself losing this argument

So could Derek

“Most of my stuff is already at your place,” he continued, then went in for the kill “So’s your archery range, by the way You haven’t practiced in almost a week”

Inhaling sharply, Sloane glared at him “That was low”

“It was honest Manipulative, but honest”

She couldn’t deny that one Archery had always been her thing She’d been captain of every archery teah school She loved the focus and the self-coe, the way it cleared her mind and honed her skills And since her injury, it had been a lifesaver It did wonders for her concentration, her ai These days, her arroas hitting the bull’s-eye more often than not—or at least it had been, before this whole crisis with her father had relegated her to Manhattan

“The clock is ticking” Sloane spoke one of her greatest fears aloud “I’lanced down at her scarred palm “Connie made it clear; two years is the lie is left will probably be peret back home”

“Say the word and we’re there,” Derek urged quietly “There’s nothing standing in the way but you”

“I know” A pause “I’ into Manhattan”

“I never assuularly ever since you moved to Hunterdon County—to see clients, friends, your hand therapist, and now your parents Go wherever you want Just come home to me”

“Okay” Slowly, Sloane nodded “Tonight’s ame I’ll talk to him then Oh, and Derek?”