Page 120 of Fragile Sanctuary

Rho’s fingers spasmed around mine. “Don’t.”

“It’s the truth. I knew this bastard had ways of getting information on me, ways of finding out who was important. But I still let myself get mixed up with you.”

She gripped my hand tighter. “Anson.”

I swallowed hard as my back molars ground together. “No one’s more important to me than you, Rho. You’re everything. And he probably knows that. Which means there’s no one he’d rather hurt thanyou.”

Every word burned on the way out of my throat, scarring the flesh as they entered the air.

Rho yanked my arm so hard the force had me stumbling forward. “You are not bailing on me.”

“Rho,” I croaked.

“You try and bolt, and I’ll hunt your ass down.”

My lips tried to twitch, but they couldn’t quite get there. “I worked for the FBI. I think I could evade you.”

Rho arched a brow. “You don’t know my skills. I found out my college roommate’s boyfriend was cheating on her five states away with nothing more than a first name and the color of his car.”

This time, my mouth succeeded at curving.

“So, I’d find you. And then I’d kick your ass for trying that BS. So, don’t. Or if you do, take me with you. I’ll run wherever you want. We’ll makeherewherever you need it to be.”

My throat burned; so much emotion was building there. Maybe I should say yes to protective custody, take Rho with me, and stay until Helena got The Hangman, and Trace caught whoever had Rho in their sights.

I pulled Rho into my arms, dropping my forehead to hers. “You’re with me. If I leave, if I stay, wherever the hell the path leads, you’re with me.”

Rho’s hands fisted in my tee. “Always. Whatever comes our way.”

But I knew how dark and twistedwhatevercould be. And you never knew when it might strike.

39

RHODES

I stretched,my arms reaching toward the sun and loosening the muscles that wove around my spine. The new flower bed was officially turned over for planting. Because that was what you did when you ran out of space but were desperate for a project.

A horn gave two short honks, and I turned to see the familiar truck withBloom & Berryon the side. Duncan navigated over the pothole-riddled gravel drive until he reached the side of the guest cottage. Biscuit lifted his head from his spot on the deck where I’d placed his bed in the sun, but he didn’t growl. Progress.

Duncan slid out of the truck as I made my way toward him. The moment I was within arm’s reach, he pulled me into a hug. “I’ve missed you.”

I hugged him back hard. “Me, too. I’m hoping I can come back soon.”

Duncan released me, his gaze sweeping over me in assessment. “Looks like that gash is healing.”

It was just an angry red line instead of a scabby wound now. But I was sure I’d have a scar. Just one more to add to the bunch.

“It’s totally fine.”

“Good.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Trace have any leads?”

I sighed. “Not yet. They found the stolen SUV that ran me off the road, but it was wiped clean of prints.”

Duncan’s jaw tightened. “You’d think they’d have foundsomethingby now.”

“Maybe it’s over, and whoever it was moved on.” But as soon as the words left my lips, I knew they were a naïve dream. Whoever had been toying with me was likely just biding their time. Because these days, nobody left me alone for even a moment.

Between what had happened to me and The Hangman, no one in my life was taking any chances. Anson stayed every night, with Trace ordering drive-bys every couple of hours. During the day, the crew was here, but I also had frequent visitors. Nora came by to help clean an already spotless house. Lolli brought over a kit so I could make my very own diamond art dick flower. I’d gotten countless texts from Cope, checking in between games and practices. Fallon brought buckets of ice cream, and Arden even made a few stops to check in.

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