Page 104 (1/2)

“I’m okay,” I tried to assure him

“No You’ve been shaking since I pulled you out of the stairwell”

My face was buried in the crook of his neck as I said, “I have a serious aversion to all reptiles I told you that”

“Ari, if Aht outside the door—”

“Don’t make me think about that Please” I had no delusions of the trouble I’d been in Even if hly engrossed in paperwork and bounded down those steps, right to that snake, giving it the perfect opportunity to strike

I shivered Dane held ainst his hard body

“I wouldn’t forgive myself if you’d been bitten You know that I’m not sure I can for—”

“Dane” I wrenched free from his embrace “It wasn’t your fault None of this is your fault”

“Ari,” he said in a co tone as he stared deep into et it I’d be upset if anyone encountered what you did on ain, the fact that it was you makes it infinitely worse”

“I’ … I need to knohat lies beyond all this darkness, all this anger All this need for revenge”

He was quiet for several seconds, still gazing unwaveringly at rew up in an environment beyond your control I had no clear idea of what happened to reithout them And for a while, I didn’t understand why Ao anywhere without him”

“How do you know him? How did you know you could trust him?”

For thatand mysterious Mikaela Madsen flashed in my mind What was her role in Dane’s life?

He brushed strands of hair frohts “Like o way back Amano was head of security at my family’s estate He stayed on after my parents died, to keep an eye on my aunt and me He’s invaluable I trust him explicitly”

“Was it necessary for him to stick so close to you?”