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“That he’d appreciate it if I checked on you That I was probably the only one you’d see, the only one you’d talk to”

I gave a sh “He knows me too well”

Between clenched teeth, Kyle said, “It was these people fucking with the Lux that calanced away, then flicked a look back at ony “Or did he do this to you?”

My eyes bulged

Oh My God

I pressed a hand to my mouth as my heart wrenched Acutely painful as the days before Would this torture never end?

Dragging my hand away, I insisted, “You can’t think that Don’t ever, ever think it He wouldn’t do this to me He never would, Kyle” My tone became more assertive “All he wanted to do was protectsure no one hurt me No one He’s been twenty-four-seven tor to me for reasons beyond his control My God!” I ju in uy!”

I stared at Kyle as so shifted inside me Tears burned my eyes I sank onto the sofa “Oh, my God”

“What?” he demanded

The drops rolled down ain My insides were raw, as if I’d been sliced open by my own machinations

“He didn’t do this tohe could to keep me safe Same with Amano—for Dane’s sake as much as mine It’s just that so It’s not his fault None of this is his fault”

The tears came faster

“Hey, Ari” Kylean arm around my shoulders “Come on This is crazy”

“Yes It is And so beyond fucked up But Kyle, it’s not Dane’s fault,” I insisted “I thought he was the villain when I watched hiuy who’d kidnapped ht out ofto share it “I couldn’t reconcile any of it inDane has done, did that night, all co what’s his The hotel Me”

Kyle grunted