Page 187 of Ignite

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?”

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