Page 140 (1/2)

s clawed at ht them back so I didn’t fall apart

As was his normal practice, Arateful for the silence It helpedfro

When he deliveredout my keys and unlocked the dead bolt I stepped inside and he followed so that he could set all of s on the kitchen counter

Finally, he said, “Ari … whatever I can do”

That started the orks again I turned to hietroom and there are some clothes in the two top drawers A tote in the bathrooown I don’t want the, yet laced with a fragility thatmy freak-out would be when he left me

“I’d rather take you to the hospital,” he told me

“They’ll ask questions You know that” I stared unwaveringly at hi he’d embraced for decades, after all, whether he knew Dane’s Illuminati association or not “I can’t exactly say I walked into a door, right?”

His jaw clenched Then he said, “At least let me clean you up See if you need stitches”

“I’ll do it” I wanted to be alone I felt the hysteria coet s?”

“Yes”

I could see he didn’t want to walk out on me, but I said, “Before Dane makes it home”

“Right”

Likely I tested his loyalty to Dane But in the end, I suspected he knew that Dane would want him to do whatever I requested Do whatever needed to be done

“Lock all the doors and s,” he said, his worryme shudder “Don’t open up for anyone but me”

“I promise”