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“Unfortunately, I think this will be more than a situation of like”

“Why unfortunately?”

“I doubt Layla will return with me to Tokyo”

“Interesting You never want to bring a woman home”

“I have a new next task for you”

“Yes, sir?”

“Figure out a way to get Layla to Tokyo Perhaps, coardless, I haven’t even saravated if she’s not in Japan upon my return”

“I’ll talk to Mr Meade after we hang up”

“Make it a face-to-faceup and put the phone in my pocket

Annoyance ruffled me

I touched the red string on ht

Das

Still touching the string, I headed downstairs to the torture chamber

My four men followed

I shouldn’t talk to Layla now, not while I’m in the zone to hurt someone, but

My h We’d just had an enjoyable afternoon and then she had to return home to toxic chaos

Fucking family

For some connections, love hurts For some people, love coincided with pain Even worse, our most intimate relationships—fae

And in this moment, I hurt for Layla My heart broke for her and all she was going through, because I’d dealt with this myself

I let go of the string and stopped in the center of the staircase My guards paused behind me I pulled out my phone and dialed her number

Layla’s voice came on “Hello?”

“I heard what happened”

A nervous chuckle left her “I was going to ask how you even got my number, but I shouldn’t be surprised when it comes to you”

“You shouldn’t When I want so that badly, I’ll exhaust all resources atfrom my truth

“Thank you for yourthat it happened”

“Don’t be embarrassed”

“Thank you for understanding”

“And how do you feel about your sister?”

She let out a long breath “I hate to say it, but”

“You’ll have to let her go?”

“I’m scared to do so” Her voice cracked a little “What ifwhat if she’s hurt? What ifties causes her deain?”

“Those are all logical questions based in fear You’re right to wonder” I gestured for o on without ainst the wall “However, when it co your soul and breaking your heart, you must slice away at the binds”