left. It felt heavy. Like the air w

it. My side hurt with every heartbeat. I wanted to stay still,

he was trying to understand me. Like he was trying to see something I wasn't ready to show.

how him ev

er. He'd seen

my chest. My hand pressed to the wound. The pain wasn't sharp anymore.

h slipped out. Smart

knees,trying to calm down. I tr

he paused, how his voice dropped when he told me to go to t

e. I shouldn't have helped that woman.

't stop. And this time

elf up. Locked the door. Checked

that could go wrong. Thinking about what he could do if he tried to investigate. What if he talked to

t. I got dressed li

he perfect chignon. A touch of make

ired, sore, and still angry.

people talked as they moved along. The smells of food and traffic were in the

shake off the pain, but it stayed. My mind kept going back to

I had put on my mask. Face calm. Back st

before I even re

de my office, tablet in hand.

ens. Nine a.m. moved to

. Th

side quietly. Clos

R wants a statement about Langford

about the options. My side still hu

gford is downst

d up. "

ere available. I s

h wh

ing r

oftly. "Let

rse," s

Do you want me to resched

head. "I'

e will be here soon. I'l

r behind her. Ever

, but I wasn't really reading. Dave's face kept cutting in. The way he had paused. The wa

im see that. Shouldn't have let him get close. But I alw

ack a few mi

still waiting for you. Eleven o'clo

. Right. Of c

ked, trying to sound casual, but my

," she said, flat. "An

about

sking questi

bo

ou

softly. "T

people you'r

I don't n

" she

I'll se

he didn't like it.

place. Hair perfect, suit sharp, that fake-perfect smile. And o

of a fancy magazine. Too bad

said. "You lo

said. "Really helpful. Now,

t he was charming. "Stil

And the p

e nights. Strange incid

ebrow. "Worrie

erva

this," I said. "

ck. Too quick. I made a mental note to never

he said quietly. "Eve

eful. Men who think I break? They di

ned the door. "Ms. Steve

n't reach his eyes

said. "W

r closed. Si

, thinking: Yep. Just what I needed. A man

tor was a threat. And t

arm, bitter, and normal, like nothing had ha

one after the other. I kept everything calm on the outs

per. Every step outside my office. I fe

what might happen if he tried to dig. If he ask

d that I always tried to help people. Hated

w. The city was alive-car honking, people rushing, lights flashing ever

ouldn't end. No