Page 70 of Our Deceptive Heat

I force a laugh. “He’s giving me away to a pack for a merger.”

There’s a long, tense silence. “I beg your pardon?”

“He’s going,” I look up, blinking back tears, “Raider, I don’t know what to do. I have to disappear.”

“Then go. Right now. You vanish and don’t come back.”

“But he’ll take it out on-”

“What’s he going to do? He can’t touch Erin or Mirakill. All he’s got left is me, and I am not scared of Typhor Raines.”

“But this is our life, and I’d be leaving everyone-”

“Auryn, no one is worth your freedom. Run while you can. Get away. And don’t worry, everyone here will survive.”

“But…” Envy, Tyr, Mako, Digs.

“Everyone who loves you will understand why you’ve done it, Ryn. Just get the fuck out of there. Run.”

I feel faint and dizzy. “If I do, will you tell Locke and Lia that I’m sorry? That I love them?”

“I’ll tell them, of course, I will.” He hesitates. “Tell Kelly to take care of you properly.”

I let out a sob. “I’m sorry, Raider.” Sorry I can’t go to you, sorry we aren’t as close as we used to be.

“He’s the only one who can protect you, Ryn. I know it. Just make sure he gets off his lazy ass and comes in from the surf to check on you.”

“I will. I’ll go in a couple of weeks.”

“When?”

“Four weeks. Then I’ll know if I can stay or go.”

“Okay. But if you need funds, a hideout, anything, you call me. The boys will break skulls for you, Ryn. You have the entire team ready to come to your aid.”

“I know. I love you, too.”

“Shit. I gotta go. I’ll call you in a week.”

He ends the call. I sit up and wipe my tears away. Inside, I can see Digs storming around. He spots me, and his whole face transforms.

I stand up, checking my face in the glass. No tears, a little puffy, but I look okay.

Digs pushes open the door and embraces me before I can say anything, lifting me off my feet and just holding me.

“We are so sorry. That was awful. So awful. Tony is looking to see if he can get her sacked.”

I relax in his arms and wrap my arms around his neck. Just talking to him makes me feel calmer. “It’s okay, it was just so shocking. I’ve met heaps of people like her, but I’ve never had one snap their fingers.”

Digs growls. “She’s lucky Tyr didn’t eviscerate her.”

“Was it an option?”

“That and drawn and quartered. I’ve never seen him so mad at anyone in his life. And her songs are awful. She’s got a god complex.”

I snicker.

“Tell me you're all right, Ryn. We’ll find a way to get rid of her, so tell me everything’s fine.”

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