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Celine blinks up at me. “That was…”

“I know.” I kiss her, pulling her into my arms and beneath the covers. “Sleep,” I encourage, kissing the top of her head.

Luckily, she’s too tired to argue. She falls asleep with her head on my chest, her even breaths fanning across my abdomen.

“I’m never letting you go,” I vow. “Never again. Not for anything.”

Our peace is short-lived. It’s less than an hour later when Ava shows up at the apartment, banging her hand against the door.

“You two better be in there. I looked for you everywhere at the scene and you both were just fucking gone.”

I shift Celine to the side, and she groans. “Your ferocious pitbull of a friend is here.”

“Pitbulls aren’t ferocious,” she retorts, stifling a yawn.

“Fine,” I acquiesce. “Your dragon of a friend is here.”

“You two better let me in or I’m going to scream. Three, two?—”

“Let her in,” Celine says.

I slip on a pair of boxer-briefs and I’m at the front door in less than a second. “Get in here tiny pink one,” I grumble.

“Thank you.” She steps around me, chin stuck haughtily in the air. “Rude of you to leave me at the scene ofyourcrime. A car in a club and a bunch of bodies.”

“Sorry about that.” I rub my jaw, trying not to grin.

“I just want to check on Celine,” she says.

The bedroom door opens and Celine steps out in a robe. “I’m sorry for sending you away,” she says to her friend. “I needed to get to Zav.”

“To bone, I can see that. God, I hate being single,” she groans, dropping her head back. “But you’re okay?” She crosses the space and hugs Celine.

“I will be,” Celine answers, smiling at me over her friend’s shoulder. “I have Zav.” Ava pulls back to glare at her. “And you,” she adds. “You’re a given, Ava.”

“And what? I’m not?” I point at myself. “That’s not fair.” I pick up my emotional support pussy from where he meows at my feet and settle him on my shoulders. “At least I’m someone’s favorite around here.”

Celine rolls her eyes at my antics and things, surprisingly, almost feel normal. I know deep down though it’s going to be a while before she recovers from this. But I’ll be there to support her in whatever ways she needs.

Ava takes a deep breath and squeezes Celine’s hand. “Now that I know you’re home and safe, I’ll leave.”

Celine tugs on her friend’s wrist. “You could stay in Zav’s apartment if you want, so you don’t have to go across the city.”

“It’s okay.” Ava tucks a pink piece of hair behind her ear. “I am going to need a new apartment soon, though. The lease is up in a month.”

I scratch my chin. “My apartment is going to be vacant moving forward so it’s yours if you want.” Celine gives me alook—one that says,excuse me sir what are you thinking saying that?I send her one back that saysyou’re my mate and you’re never getting rid of me now so deal with it.

“Really?” Ava says in surprise.

“Rent’s paid for the next year. It’s yours if you want it.”

“Zavvy!” she cries and runs over to me, throwing her arms around my middle. I grunt at the impact. For someone so tiny she’s shockingly strong. “Thank you.”

“Mhm.” I pat the tiny human’s head.

Pulling away, Ava says, “I’m going. For real this time.”

I open the door and see her out, locking up once she’s out.