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“One I still don’t understand,” I muttered and he raised his eyebrow. “I know. I know. My fault.”

“I don’t blame you.”

My eyes shot up to his in surprise and he glanced away, swallowing.

“You’re young. You didn’t grow up in this life. You have plans, dreams. I respect that.” I blinked at the sudden turn in conversation. “I want you to pursue those dreams. You shouldn’t be shackled to a life you didn’t ask for. It’s why I’m willing to get hurt for you, to die for you, to kill for you.” His hands wrapped around my shoulders, his thumbs pressing against my collarbone as he finished, “You deserve the chance to live the life you want.”

His gaze dropped to my neck, his thumb a hairsbreadth from the spot he’d kissed me and I held my breath, wondering what he’d do.

I swallowed my disappointment as he released me and stepped away. He glanced at me, his face a mixture of desire, confusion, and resolve. “You tempt me in a way I never could have predicted. You test my willpower every second I’m in your presence.” My lips parted at his admission and he inhaled sharply. “You might be the death of me, but I’ll die happy if it means you’re free.”

“Can we stop talking about death?” I asked plaintively and he choked. “No one needs to die, especially not for me.” I debated for a brief second before asking the question that had bothered me since the start of his admission. “Is it because of your sister, Samantha?”

“Partially,” he answered, holding my gaze. “She made her own decisions, but she knew what she was getting into.” He paused and corrected himself, “She thought she knew what she was getting into. You’re a different case.”

“But you’d tell me if I wanted to know.”

His jaw worked for a second, before he gave me a short nod. “I would.”

“You don’t want this for me,” I stated, suddenly seeing his reluctance in a new light.

“This place is dangerous for you, more so than anyone else. At least the way things stand right now.”

“There’s something else you can do to protect me,” I dug, unsure why I was pursing the dangerous topic. “But you don’t want to do it.”

“You’re clever,” he grunted, sidestepping my statement. “Which only makes all of this harder, but yes, there’s more to this. I could explain, but – ”

“It’s okay,” I stopped him, not wanting him to have to give an excuse for something that I’d decided. “I trust you.”

“You should go inside now,” he said, his voice rough. He handed my backpack to me and I glanced at it in surprise. After everything that happened, it’s presence was a reminder that school had let out only a couple of hours before.

“I have homework,” I said, the words shockingly normal in the face of everything that had transpired since I’d left school.

“You should go do it.”

I glanced at him in concern, my eyes betraying my worry, and he gave me a surprisingly gentle smile.

“I’ll be fine,” he promised, standing still as I backed away from him and everything that had happened. He still hadn’t moved when I reached the door, but by the time I made it to the window to peek out, he was gone.

“Your mom called.”

I spun around, my heart pounding a mile a minute, only to find my dad slumped over the kitchen island, a beer in front of him. I gave a quick glance back at the window, but Dominic had disappeared. My pulse slowed down slightly as I went over to my dad, taking in his depressed state.

“Did someone die?” I asked uncertainly.

“She wants you to come live with her,” he replied, taking a long pull on his beer.

“Not surprising. She never did take losing well,” I retorted, dropping my backpack on the floor as I went to the fridge. “In case you needed confirmation, my answer is no.”

“The new husband got transferred.”

I snorted, unsurprised. “Well, that was to be expected since he only got promoted because Mom helped him sabotage you.”

“Your mom….”

“Dad, please. Don’t defend her to me. I’m old enough to know what happened.”

“He got transferred to the European office.”

I paused; thankful my face was hidden by the refrigerator door. Dad knew how much I wanted to explore Europe. It was my dream to spend a summer touring the major European cities, and it was supposed to have been my senior trip, at least until the divorce. If there were ever a carrot my mother could dangle, this would be the one.

“I know how much you wanted to go,” Dad continued, as I stayed frozen on the other side of the fridge door, my thoughts warring. “And I want you to go. You deserve the chance to pursue your dreams. You don’t need to be stuck in this tiny town.”