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"Oh no," Able said, pulling her s her hair with one hand It was so hard sos to her "Mom would never leave us, Mali You don't have to worry about that But Jax ood"

"You mean stay and be with mommy?" Mali asked "Like a daddy?"

"Yes, although we don't need him," Able said fiercely "You remember what dad was like He was horrible We don't want another one of those, do we?"

"I suppose not," Mali whispered back Daddy had been mean He used to hurt her, and hurt mommy

But still…

Jax didn't seem like daddy He seearden earlier that o near him, but she reet her flying disk out of the tree in the garden It had been stuck up there for two days Not even h to do that

"You know," she whispered "Kally likes her daddy He plays with her all the time Kally's mommy seems to really like him, too Maybe not all daddies are like ours was"

"We don't need a father," Able replied fiercely "You and mom have me I'll take care of you"

"I know you will," Mali replied softly "You've always taken care of me, Able But sometimes I wish I had a daddy, like Kally"

Able sat up, spilling her on to the floor

"That's a stupid wish, Mali," he said "We have to get rid of him It's just you, mom, and me That's all we need"

"I don't think it's a stupid wish," Mali said, grabbing the shelf to steady herself She stood up and looked down on her brother, s I want, and I want a daddy There's nothing you can do to stop me"

Able just stared at her in disgust So to reason with a little sister They just didn't understand

Chapter One

He was out there Watching her

He'd been watching her for days Seven days, to be exact

That's how long it had been since Calla left with her new , stupid friend Jax with him

Sarai rolled over in her bed, punching the pillow to soften it up Her room was too hot She kne much more cool and co door to the garden, but if she did he ht take it as an invitation

He'd been trouble from the minute he'd set foot in their small hostel Usually they catered to students

After all, Hector Priy Frole, the planet-wide nature preserve had so Jax wanted was right in her bedroom

Sarai rolled again, settling on her back What was it about hione out into the garden, her private refuge He had been waiting for her then, too A twist of desire coiled through her at the memory He'd touched her in the darkness, and she had lost control