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“At least you’re looking better” Tori gave her an appraising glance “Your bruises are fading fast A little makeup and nobody will notice them at all”

“Good” But Natalie wasn’t concerned about appearance “Is ht?”

“It’s fine I checked on e for you to warm up”

“What would I do without you?” Natalie reached over and squeezed her friend’s shoulder It felt good to be going home But ho with a mountain of complications—her clinic, the insurance, the uess I’d better ask what’s happening with Slade,” she said

“Nobody’s seen hiht with Beau in the bar Ru co”

“I told Beau to stay out of this, but no, he had to go and h alone?”

“Beau orried about you He wanted to let Slade know you had a protector”

“Don’t you dare defend him, Tori! Beau ay out of line! Anyway, I don’t need a protector I’ve got new locks and a restraining order And I’ll have a gun with me”

“A gun you don’t kno to shoot Maybe you ought to get a dog—so and scary like a rottweiler”

“Stop worrying, I’ll be fine And I’ll be too busy to take care of a dog, especially while I’ to be a big joband expensive I just hope I can get enough house calls in the interim to pay for it”

Tori didn’t answer Her eyes were fixed on the road Was so on?

They made small talk, mostly about Erin, until they drove into town Natalie could feel her tension rising as they pulled up to the house Fro looked fine, al

“You’ll need new keys for the locks” Tori fished in her purse as they clio The square one’s for the front door There are spares inside”

Natalie found the key on the ring Tori had given her Her hand trembled as she thrust it into the dead bolt Howwhich version of Slade would be waiting for her inside—the sociable, good-hu, suspicious tyrant who’d follow her fro every move she made?

Now the house would be empty But the memories would rush at her every ti time before she felt safe here