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“What happened when you leftbass in my voice

Turning, she looks at me wide-eyed She licks her chapped lips, and I wonder what kind of hell she’s been living

“The es started,” she croaks

I walk toward her “The what?”

“The FB , and they threatened to hurt et the point across Remember that day at the zoo?”

The words connect A tidal wave of anger washes over me “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wasn’t going to put Rolly in danger I already got you shot I can’t do that again I won’t be that person I’m not a damsel in distress”

Her words stun rip her shoulders, giving her a shake “I don’t blaether, I ht be dead because there’d be no one to help ht of that? Did they ers into her flesh and fight the urge to shake her again

Blinking slowly, she shakes her head from side to side Relief seeps in “I can’t believe you’d keep this from me”

“I was thinking about Rolly”

“At the expense of yourself? No, that’s bullshit I can keep both of you safe Do you have so little faith in ht hurts

“No” Her eyes glisten “I know you so well You’d put yourself in harm’s way for us”

“Daht Do you knohy? Because that’s what a man does for the people he loves”

“No” She tries to pull away, and I hold her tighter

“Yes I love you, Quinn Scout Fle”