Page 57 of State of Retribution

“My parents may not understand what’s wrong with me.”

“I’ll let them know your memory has been affected by your injury and ask that they not push you on trying to remember things.Would that help?”

Harlowe nodded.“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“There’s one other thing…”

“What’s that?”

“They’ll want me to go with them so they can take care of me.I’m not leaving here.I want to be with Archie.I trust him.”

A tsunami of emotion took him by surprise as he realized he’d kill for this woman, if it came to that.He really hoped it didn’t, but if it did…

“We won’t let them take you anywhere,” Erica said.“You’re in charge here.What you say goes, okay?”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“If you need anything at all, you can ask either of us.We’re here for you.”

“It means so much.You didn’t know me before… but you’re so kind.”

“We’re with you for the long haul.We want to see you through this and get you back to your life as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.”

Erica stood to leave.“I’ll be back with your parents when they land.I’m picking them up at Reagan National at five.”

“See you then,” Harlowe said.

“I’ll walk you out,” Archie said to Erica.

At the door, Erica turned to him.“How’re you holding up?”

Archie rubbed the back of his neck, where all his tension seemed to gather.“I’m doing okay as long as she is.How are things at work?”

“Don’t worry about that.Take care of yourself and your friend.Your very capable team is taking care of work.”

“Thanks again for everything.”

“No problem at all.”Erica glanced toward the living room.“You two seem… committed or something like that.”

“I don’t know what we are.All I know is I care.”

“She does, too.That’s very obvious to me.”

“You think so?”

Erica smiled.“I do.She wants to stay with you because you make her feel safe.That’s huge, Archie.Keep doing that.It’ll matter to her when she looks back on this upsetting time.”

“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

“We will indeed, and frankly, I can’t wait to see what this becomes.”

“Don’t jinx me.We’re in a very strange situation here.”

“Understood, and I don’t mean to make light of it.”

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