Page 136 of Whispers of Wisteria

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No, no—

They said something, but I couldn’t make it out.

I tried to kick back, but I hit nothing. The touch turned harder, wrapping around my ribs, and held me in place. I couldn’t see, couldn’t fight. I was drowning.

This was my first real mission, and I was already failing.

I was supposed to prove I could handle this. I was supposed to prove I belonged.

It was supposed to be so easy.

I tried to scream, but nothing made it past the weight in my throat.

And just like that—

Everything I’d fought for disappeared into silence.

Titus POV

(About the same time…)

“I’m telling you, there’s something off—”

Maria ranted as she walked beside me around the warehouses to the requested meeting location. I didn’t pay attention to her words. Right now she was in a rant, and her words blended into the background.

She was always complaining about something.

“—and Albert,Albertof all people!” She flipped her hair. “He’s nothing more than a brown-nosing pencil pusher. What information ishegoing to have?”

“I don’t expect him to have anything you haven’t found already,” I told her. “You’re better.”

“Damn right I’m better,” she said.

“But if there’s a chance—” I continued.

A chill shot down my spine at the look she gave me.

I ignored it.

“—that he knows anything about Jason Patterson that youdon’t, I want to know. For Bianca.”

“Fine.” Maria nodded.

I wouldn’t have to explain further; she was already sucked in.

She glanced at the tall buildings as we passed. “Why did you ask me to come?”

“I wanted to surprise you. I shredded the memo before you could see.”

She blinked at me.

“I figured you’d want some exercise,” I explained. After all, she deserved a bonus for making Bianca happy.

Not that she did it for that reason.

“Are—” She placed her hand over her mouth, and her eyes lit up. “Are we going to getTaken?”

I nodded, and she squealed.

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