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I pulled the co reality of the situation was that as long as I was devastated I’d keep the living, breathing reminder of what I’d once had I’d be able to hold on to the beauty of Dane and the way he’d loved me Fiercely, possessively Sweetly, tenderly

But there was so es of that beauty So much darkness

The night Vale Hilliard had kidnapped me could have ended fatally forcould have happened That continued to scare the shit out of me

But I also continued to miss Dane To crave his touch, burn for the intimacy we’d shared

Throwing back the covers with a frustrated sigh, I climbed out of bed and went into the kitchen If I were the type to believe in a soothing glass of war my phone out of my tote and placed a call

It was picked up on the first ring

“I need a favor,” I said “A ride, actually”

“Are you all right?” It was the first thing Amano asked as I pulled open my front door

“Not even close” Why lie? He’d lived the nightmare with me

Dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a white oxford with a tank top underneath it and wearing lip gloss and mascara, I knew that—other than the scar on my forehead—I didn’t look as torn to pieces as I was But I still felt it inside

“Where do you want to go?” he asked

We’d had a sparse conversation when I’d called I’d asked the favor; he’d said he was on his way That was all

“I never got the gate code”

“Right” With a sharp nod, he turned I followed hi up behind me

On the drive to Oak Creek Canyon, I asked, “How did you find ht?”