Page 81 of It Starts With A No

He poked his tongue into his cheek as he drew a deep breath through his nose to suppress the heat of rage. Not the time. “Stay with me for a few days,” he said. “At least until Gavin Ressler is back in custody.”

“What if the police never find him?”

“We’ll talk about it when that happens.”

She bit down on her lips and stared backs at him in silence.

“I can’t read your mind.”

Her lips parted, and she sucked in a breath as if she was going to spill whatever she was thinking of. But she didn’t.

“I promise Zane won’t shoot you.”

“Why didn’t you take the deal? It’s a lot of money, right? If Mr. E says it’s a lot of money, then it must be.”

“Because I want you safe. Not because it’ll save me some money.”

“A lot of money.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear, then slowly traced the back of his fingers down her jaw.

“You’re distracting me again.”

He dropped his hand. He should be figuring out how to make her understand, not distracting her.

Seth drew a slow, deep breath through his mouth. “I’m here for you, Clary Fiore.”

* * *

Breathe. Clary drew a breath through her nose when her own voice reminded her to do so. Breathe, so you won’t swoon.

Which she wanted to. Could she?

I’m here for you, Clary Fiore.

Clary stared back at Seth. She supposed it was her turn to say something.

“You don’t believe me?”

She shook her head, then held a hand up when his brows drew together. “Not that I don’t believe you. I’m not sure what I should say.” Because this was a terrible idea, and she knew that.

Seth’s eyes shifted to the side. “The initial reason I came to you has concluded.”

“The initial reason why you stalked me.”

His eyes narrowed, and she dropped her face forward to hide her smile.

“And you haven’t gotten your money yet, so …”

“But I no longer need you for that.”

She pressed a hand to her chest. “That sounds so cruel.”

He sighed heavily, and she pursed her lips.

“I get what you’re saying.” She bit down on her lips again, then released them with a soft popping sound.

“But?”

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