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“She was fifteen, too. I can promise you I had no part in what happened to her. But I didn’t stop it either. I was a coward. I was there with boys of my age and up. The oldest was a man in his forties.”

He leaned his head back, and I saw the raw pain in his eyes, the way they crinkled up in the corners as though he watched the memory play out on a screen only he could see.

“They left her for dead. I just ran, and I didn’t look back.”

I couldn’t imagine the trauma my man had been through. I squeezed his hand tightly as I lifted it to my lips.

“So, what happened?” I mumbled against it, closing my eyes as he cleared his throat.

“Well, she survived. Only just. Turns out her dad was rich illegally as well as legally; he had his fingers in all the pies. We were all caught. There were six of us in total. Four are now dead.”

He smiled wistfully as I gasped.

“I got a hefty fine which my family paid, and we moved here under witness protection. I don’t know how long I will be here though; her father won’t let me get away with it. I may have to keep moving, Gretchen.”

I froze as I absorbed the information. My heart hammered against my chest painfully.

“But you didn’t hurt his daughter,” I argued as he bowed his head.

“No, I didn’t. But I didn’t stop them, did I? That’s as good as doing it—in his eyes.”

His voice was so soft I barely heard the last part.

“I understand if you want to end this. I don’t want you to get hurt. If they find me, which I think they will, I don’t want them coming for you. You mean too much, and I couldn’t protect you, no matter how much I would try,” his voice choked on emotion, his forehead resting against mine.

I reached for him; my hands wrapped around his neck.

“I won’t lie to you; I’m terrified. But I meant what I said—I’m falling for you. I can’t be without you.”

I mean it.

His life was at risk, which made mine at risk, too. But could I really break off with him and carry on like he never existed?

What if something happens to him?

I shuddered at the thought.

He kissed my head before his lips grazed against mine. “Now you see why school doesn’t matter overly to me,” he chuckled. “I’m just focusing on surviving.” His eyes filled with regret and anguish.

I want to soothe him, but I don’t know how.

“Can we go somewhere,anywherewhere no one will know us?” I asked him, no longer caring about anyone or anything else.

He searched my eyes, pressing his lips against mine as he nodded. He moved away from me, and we both got into the car.

After a while we pulled onto the freeway, pulling into the second motel we passed.

“What was wrong with the first one?” I yawned as I stretched my tired limbs.

“Nothing. But I never use the first one I get to,” Cal mumbled as he turned the engine off. He pulled a wad of cash from his pocket, ignoring my raised eyebrows. “Go get us a room,” he grinned at me.

I strode to the reception door and pushed it open. A bell rang somewhere, announcing my arrival. A bored-looking man played with his phone, paying me no attention.

“Yes?” He drawled out, without lifting his head up.

“Uh, I need a room?” I stammered as I licked my lips nervously.

“Fifty bucks. Seventy if you want WIFI.”