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Those eyes of hers. Green with brown-gold around the irises. They’re luminous. They’re large and potent and full of emotions I haven’t felt in a long time.

She’s got the credentials. It wouldn’t be illegal if she volunteers her time here. “Come back on Monday and I’ll see if I can use you.”

She makes no move, only continues to look at me.

Fuck. This, right here, is what I have to avoid. Even though I don’t want to be alone. Even though Dana’s death is light years away and no one else has come close to making me feel the way she did.

How easy would it be to kiss Gillian right now? To have the heat spread through my entire system and taste the smile on those plump lips?

I blink and take a step back. “Don’t let me down, Gillian.”

She chuckles, letting her arms drop. “That’sGillito you.”

Chapter 13

Gilli

The day certainly didnotgo the way I thought it would.

By a long shot.

I drove to town for a distraction, for research, and found way more than I bargained for.

Full dark covers the land by the time I make it back to Savage Gardens, exhausted and oddly satisfied. My feet ache and my arms feel like lead weights instead of functioning limbs.

But I got to do something IknowI’m good at. Something that doesn’t make me feel like a freak or a failure.

I helped.

And Tase said he might be able to accept my assistance. I grin at the memory.It’s something. It’s a bright spot in an otherwise bleak outlook of fear and confusion and frustration.

I’ll take the win. Even if it’s temporary.

Even if it won’t help me figure out who’s behind the break-in at my apartment or why they’ve targeted me. It’s a glimpse of things lining up in just the right way.

The wheels rattle over the rutted dirt road toward the driveway to the cabin. Now if only I can get some sleep.

I squeeze my car beside Aiden’s truck in the minuscule amount of space left in the driveway. Two of my wheels are on the grass.

As I get out, I breathe deeply, drawing in the fresh, wet scents of the lake and the surrounding trees, the sweetness in the air. The breeze picks up and scatters leaves across the lawn.

A few aches and pains are a small price to pay for some mental clarity.

My stomach gives a plaintive gurgle. But yeah, skipping lunch was a bad idea.

You could use a few skips.

I block out the familiar nasty voice and hold my head high on my way into the cabin.

Aiden and Soren are both in the kitchen, evidenced by stomping footsteps and the slam of the fridge door. Both stand still as statues when I drop my bag on the island, glancing between them.

Neither is willing to meet my gaze, but they aren’t leaving, either.

The air goes thick.

“Hi?” I venture.

It’s like plucking the pin off of a grenade. The second the word lands, Soren turns from the counter with his brow furrowed and twin red rage spots on his cheeks.