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Stoh theas he helps me into the coat “Why wouldn’t it be safe? Who are those men?”

“Don’t worry,” he says, turning me to face him “They work forit up “Checking things out is just a precaution I prefer to take nothing for granted”

“What does thata poker face “That they’ll betray you?”

He takes a scarf from the overhead compartment and winds it around my neck “Unlikely, but ayourself with theseunder control”

Igor sticks his head around the door “All clear We’re good to move”

“Co his way to the front

“Alex,” I call after him

He stops to look at me

“You need to lay all the cards on the table This is my life too”

There’s no aer “I already told you that I’ll protect you You’ll have to learn to trust me”

Yeah, sure Treatinged I want to say asfroht up with hiives loves the same color as my boots

I watch hiloves His stance is rigid I’ve never seen hiunshot wound

His stress rubs off on ood, and his refusal to explain only makes my anxiety worse

A gush of frosty air hits me in the face when he ushers me outside The winter feels different here than in New York City This cold penetrates the wool layers of my expensive clothes all the way to my bones

Alex throws an arainst his side as he leadsbetween us I try to break free, but he tightens his hold

A er-side door in the back Alex helps me inside and takes the seat next tospace between us With how I feel about his actions, I’d rather be exposed to the subzero teainst him