ey

o the smell

isoriented. For a second, I

g back. The attack, the

nt was quiet. The living room was empty, the blanket I

offee was brewing on the counter, and

e. Make yourself at home.

p, angular script. I ran my finger over the 'K

felt different in the daylight. Less sterile, more like a fortress. I could see

. I needed to go home. I needed to go

idn't w

iet, safe bubble, where no one co

it in my purse by the door.

other. Three from Kierra. And

, Haley. You ca

ber. I had given it to him when we exc

he number, my hands shaking. I c

led K

you okay? I've been c

y voice was hollow. "I'm...

iend? I thought yo

ed. "I ran into Knight. He..

ds. Then Kierra let out a squeal so loud

d, Haley! That's huge! That'

lushing. "He was just being protective. H

e dripping with innuendo. "I bet he did. So, what's his

ound at the security cameras. "And th

a said. "When are yo

need to talk to Reynolds. H

his place. You should have seen him, Haley. He loo

tug at my lips. "He d

. "Okay, I have to go. Call m

the grime and the fear of the last two days. I put my own clothes back on

. At noon, the front door

shaved, and his hair was damp. But his arm was still i

me sitting on the cou

said, standing up. "I didn't

his lips. It was gone in an

clenched. "

ing a bottle of water from the fridge wi

ituat

ows what you look like. He knows where you work. Prospect Lancaster is the key witness from the Zodiac Cartel takedown, which dismantled a

ain from my face. "

r apartment is not secure. Your clinic is compromised. And your fam

g, but I knew

do?" I asked,

down and took a step toward

him. "Here

place," he said. "I

. "I can't just hide in

't. Which is why I have a

to pound. "What k

aximum security protection file for you. That requires your full legal na

took a quick, clear photo of it with his phone. "Thank yo

One that will give you my name, my protection, and the res

roat. "Are you... are you

are under the club's full protection. You have access to safe houses, to our docto

d out from under me. "This is cr

ow you are brave. I know you are

" I said, shaking my head. "Marriage i

ice hard. "Survival is a necessity. I a

in a sling and his eyes like steel. He was offering me a way

ess. It was the most ridicu

o tired of

hispered. "

unreadable. "Pack your things.