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“Go get some sleep. Be safe.” She always said that to him, even though she probably thought he was doing something shady.

“You be safe, Angel. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to you and I’m not there to stop it.”

“You can’t be with me all the time. Bad stuff happens when you least expect it. At least in this case, I’m expecting it. I’ll be on guard. I promise.”

“I feel like if I let you get off the phone, I’ll spend every second worried about you.”

“I can’t help that, but if it helps, all you have to do is look at the tracker on your phone and you’ll know where I am.”

“Yeah, but not how you are.”

“Lonely without you.”

He heard something more in those words. “Isn’t that a song?”

“If it’s not, it should be.”

“I want you writing happy songs.”

“I’m working on one inspired by you.”

“Yeah? What’s it called?”

“‘What’s Your Name?’”

He chuckled. “I can’t wait to hear it.”

“Are you going to answer that soon?”

“I like that you call me Mine. But yes, I’ll tell you everything soon.”

“Something to look forward to. Have a good day, M.”

“Have a good day, Angel.” Seconds after he hung up, she sent him a text.

LYRIC:It feels like you were always meant to be mine.

He clicked the link on the Maddie and Tae song “Strangers” and listened to the words that fit them so well, grinning that he knew exactly what the duo was singing about. It felt like he and Lyric had always known each other and were meant to be. That everything in their lives had simply been leading them toward each other.

He’d never believed in such things. And then he met her.

He texted her a link to one of his favorite songs. “You Make It Easy,” by Jason Aldean.

VIPER:I never thought I’d find someone like you.

LYRIC:You did. And I’m not going anywhere. See you soon.

He hoped he could hold on to her long enough to finish his business so he was free to be with her. So he could be the man she saw behind the face he showed the world right now.

He didn’t want to lose her because of his job.

Or someone’s obsession.

Chapter Twenty-One

VIPER:Your talent blows my mind

VIPER:That song Uninvited