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HALLIE

Y ou’d think after a week of having a door slammed in your face, you’d get the message and stop coming back. Especially after the fifth day.

But no, not Conan.

I’ve blocked his number and refused to see him.

It’s almost like he enjoys being told to fuck off at this point.

Bertie’s tail starts to wag, and I snuggle up closer to him.

“What is it, boy?”

He jumps off the sofa and lifts his paws to look out the window.

I glance at the time on my phone and sigh.

Now is about the time even my dog gets excited. Traitor.

Pulling myself off the couch, I hear the deep rumble of a car.

Normally it stops down the road, but this time it gets louder and louder, like it’s parking right outside my damn door.

I rush over to the window and open the blinds a bit more.

Hmm. That’s not his McLaren. I mean, it is—except for the chrome silver finish.

Wow. It’s beautiful.

I hold my breath as Conan emerges from the car. Closing my eyes, I brace myself for the knock.

But it doesn’t come.

Instead, something drops to my floor.

What the hell?

I keep watching him as he strolls away without looking back and hops into a Range Rover that speeds off.

Letting out a breath of pure relief, I press my palm to my chest. Lily has been here all the other days to get rid of him, so I didn’t have to come face-to-face with him, but she had to go to the gallery today.

I wrap my arms around myself. I just feel so lost.

I creep toward the front door and stare at the set of keys with a silver heart dangling and a note attached.

Gritting my teeth, I pick them up and stomp into the kitchen, ripping the letter out of the envelope.

Trouble,

I know you don’t want to see me, and I don’t blame you.

I’ll give you space if that’s what you need.

But I can’t give up on you.

I miss you so much, Hallie.

I didn’t know it was possible to feel like this about someone until you.

I don’t know how to earn your forgiveness, so I’m going to try everything, starting with the car.

She’s the exact same as mine down to every single spec, well, except the paintwork.

So maybe, one day, when you feel like seeing me, we can have that race?

I hope we can one day.

Love always,

Conan

I don’t know how many times I re-read this note. His messy, scribbled writing—it’s just so him.

Glancing down at the keys, nausea washes over me. A few days ago, I’d have loved nothing more than racing him.

I don’t need the car. Or money.

I need someone I can trust. Someone who doesn’t kidnap me in my damn sleep and make me play a sick game in the woods.

I pull out the chair and slump over the table.

Thinking of how I had everything to losing it all within a single day.

The door opens, and I don’t move. I don’t have to hide how upset I am from Lily.

“Hey, Hallie…what’s going on?”

I sit up and wipe my eyes.

“Nothing. Pity party for one,” I sniffle.

She frowns.

“Is asshole not here? The car?” She points back toward my driveway.

“Yeah. Read this,” I say, holding out the note to her.

Her face reddens as she reads it, then she sets it on the table.

“He bought you a car? And thinks that’s going to fix it?”

She scratches her head.

“The car is worth half a million.”

Why am I defending him?

“Yet you’re still here in tears again. The car doesn’t fix anything, Hallie. But he isn’t going to stop. Is he?” She glances at the note.

“No.”

He’s a hunter.

“So, what’s your plan?”

“I need to go to the hospital, hand in my resignation, and speak to Dr. Quinn.”

It’s a risky move. But there are more races coming up. Maybe taking the two million from the games would have been smart. But I want nothing to do with any Quinn brother.

They can screw their dirty money.

And their cars.

There will be other jobs.

“So you don’t want the car?”

I shake my head.

“We could get some anger out on it?”

My eyes go wide.

“The car didn’t hurt me. It doesn’t deserve that.”

“Are you sure you really want to quit? I know how much you love that job.” She steps closer, resting her hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah. It’s best for everyone involved if I just go. There will be other jobs. Other states.”

“You know wherever you go, I’m going too?”

I rest my hand on top of hers.

“I’d never make you leave with me.”

She smiles.

“I like adventure. Might be fun. Fresh start, you know?”

I swallow the lump in my throat.

Leaving Conan for good. It’s meant to be what I want, but it still really hurts.