Page 5 of Scars Run Deep

She cared about us.

I knew it, I’d felt it.

She’d want to stay.

She would… of course, she would.

She belonged with us now.

The sound of a phone buzzing jolted me from my thoughts.

I patted my jacket pocket, disappointment settling over me in the next couple of seconds as I realized it wasn’t mine vibrating.

I looked to see Olivia pulling her phone from one of the many pockets in her jacket.

All the way here in the car and since we’d been at the safehouse too, she’d remained completely calm and collected.

Until now.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She spared me a single glance before rapidly texting back whoever the hell it was, then stowing it away and shooting to her feet. “Change of plans.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I need to go.”

“Excuse me?”

“There’s something I need to do.”

“Fine. Once Asher gets here we’ll figure it out, incorporate it into the rest.”

“I’m afraid it can’t work like that.”

“Why not?” What the hell was happening?

She snatched up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “I can’t be here anymore.”

I reacted as she rushed past me to the entryway, following after her at a jog.

“You agreed to join forces with us to take down the dollhouse network,” I called after her. “You were on board. Enthusiastic, even. Really gung-ho about it.”

“Things have shifted,” she told me over her shoulder.

“Just like that? With a single text?”

“Correct.”

“Who the hell was that? Is someone threatening you? Those Heretics, perhaps?”

When she didn’t answer and moved to open the front door instead, I snagged her arm and jerked her back around to face me. “I can’t let you leave.”

Her eyes darted to my hand on her. “Stand aside, or I’ll be forced to take drastic action.”

“The hell I will.”

She sighed. “Just remember, I warned you. We’re not enemies.”

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