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“Have breakfast with me,” he finally said, breaking the unnerving silence between us.

I swallowed hard at the rough demand but found myself nodding.It’s not breakfast time.

His face was impassive as he glanced at the booth. “It is when you haven’t eaten yet and this deli serves breakfast all day. Haven’t you ever had pancakes for supper?”

I shook my head.

He gave me a small smile. “You should.”

Something switched between us then. Something fast. Something heavy. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

Clearing my throat, I slid onto the red leather bench and placed my bag beside me.

“Tell me who that man was,” Cyrus said, sitting in the booth across from me.

When I went to lift my phone to type up a message for him, his hand covered mine. My eyes snapped to his, my heart jumping to my throat at the gentle touch coming from him.

“If you sign for me slowly, I can understand. Please.”

The demand was soft but firm. It opened up something inside of me. Something I wanted to explore.

I took a breath, pulled my hand from under his and began moving my fingers.

I don’t know. I think he started following me about three blocks ago. I didn’t actually see him though and I came in here because I didn’t know what else to do. Then I saw you and...

Cyrus smiled. “You’re safe here and with me.”

Somehow, I believed him.

You understand me?

He nodded. “I’m rusty but I can understand most of what you’re saying.”

I can sign slower or text you.Oh God, now I was hinting for his phone number.

“I like that idea too, but I still want you to sign. It’ll help me remember.” He pulled his cell out of his leather cut, typed a few words on it and slid it across the table.

My eyes dropped to the phone. Giving him my phone number would hint for more wouldn’t it? Would he think I was leading him on if I didn’t want anything to come of this? Would he be like the other guys I had come across who would think I was a tease just because I smiled at him or gave him my number? It was how I ended up in that hell anyway. All because a guy hit on me, and another swooped in like a hero. He ended up asking for directions and used the excuse he was new in town. The next thing I knew, I was in the back of a van with him deep inside—

“Ainsley.” Cyrus’s gruff voice pulled me back to the present. “Take your time, pet.”

I glanced up at him, wringing my hands together in my lap. I could do this. I could be normal.

“I won’t pressure you into giving me your phone number,” Cyrus added. “Whatever you’re thinking, get it out of your head. I just want to be able to communicate the easiest way with you. Whatever you want and that’s best for you.”

His voice, although deep and firm, was also soothing in a way. He was giving me control and I found that it set me on edge. I wasn’t used to that. Even now that I was safe and out of that hell I had spent years living in, I wasn’t truly in control. Not of my life. But this moment right here with Cyrus, even though it was something small, like giving him my phone number, I was in control. I could say no, or I could say yes. It wasmychoice.

Reaching for the phone, I typed my number in it and handed it back to him.

“Thank you, pet.” He typed something on his phone before stuffing it back inside his leather cut.

My phone dinged a second later.

Unknown number: Now you have my number.

I smiled, adding him to my contacts list underHandsome Stranger.

Once that was settled, I looked around me. The deli was small and quaint. It reminded me of the older days with the checkered black and white floors and tablecloths.