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“It’s entle “To take an injury in your stead And I…failed at that”

This again

“Ty, your life is no less valuable than mine”

“This is what I signed up for, Vicki”

“And after you’re done here, you’ll justto take a bullet for him or her?”

“I try to avoid that eventuality at all costs And if I do my job properly, it would never coaze over her face and sighed “For what it’s worth, I would putpaid to do so”

His words sent a thrill of pleasure careening down her spine She wasn’t sure what to read into that statement Or even how to respond to it

“You would do the saood man, Ty,” she eventually whispered

He folded his aresture seemed defensive “I’m not so sure of that”

His response was enigmatic She didn’t knohich part of her statement he wasn’t sure of, and it confused her

“I’ll see you on Monday,” he said

“You’re not coain?” Why the hell had she asked him that?

“It wouldn’t be appropriate”

Of course not He was on leave, and she ork Why would he want to spend his days off in her co sex, he’d have an excuse…but just to hang out with her? Why would he ever waste his time like that?

“Goodbye, Tyler” She shifted her attention to her teacup, hoping that he would take it as the dis, but after a hed, a deep, sad sound

“Take care of yourself, hon—Vicki” It was the second time he had nearly slipped up and called her honey She refused to read anything into that

When she didn’t reply, he sighed again…and left

When Ty entered his e silence

For too long, this place had been a refuge froht out the wall of reaze bounced froh memory

His brother, Tanner, cradling aat Ty, who had taken the picture His parents entwined in each other’s arled in a candid e Dylan, in a tux, grinning at his new bride So much to live for