Page 90 of It Starts With A No

“She’s manipulating you with that, isn’t she?”

Seth laughed without humor. “And I went back to her again because she didn’t. If you hadn’t told me about how serious her wound was, I wouldn’t have known. Because I’d already seen her that morning—before you told me about it—and she hadn’t said a word. She didn’t say anything until I confronted her about it.”

Elton rolled his eyes. “I saw how you were at the hospital, how protective you were of her.”

Oliver’s lips curled, and his head bobbed up and down. “You do look protective of her.”

“Why are you so happy about that?” Seth asked.

“Your life has always revolved around us. I’m glad you’ve found someone else to care about.” The sincerity of Oliver’s answer made Seth rein in his temper.

Elton’s brows furrowed, and he stared at their youngest brother as if he’d gone crazy.

Seth nodded slowly. “She’s important to me.” He paused and sucked in a breath, because that was the first time he’d admitted it—even to himself. “You guys can vote all you want, but she’s staying no matter what.”

“I’d have voted for her to stay,” Oliver said. “And I’m kind of hungry. She said she had food.”

Seth got up. “I should put it in the fridge before it goes bad.” How long could the food sit out, anyway? He pushed his chair back again, which was when Zane spoke.

“I would’ve voted for her to stay too.”

Seth nodded, grateful that his eldest brother was willing to look past whatever connections Clary had to the Eolenfelds.

Oliver followed Seth back. “Is her food safe to eat?”

Seth grimaced.

“That bad? Forget that—”

“No, it isn’t that. The food is safe to eat.” He was just sad to be once again reminded of how Holly Eolenfeld had messed them up.

“Probably?”

“I’ve only tried the turkey. I’m not sure about anything else.”

“But the turkey’s edible?”

He leaned over with a smirk. “It’s delicious.”

Oliver nodded. “I’ll take the turkey, then.”

* * *

Clary had just come out of the bath when her phone rang. She answered it when she saw Mr. E’s name on screen. “I’m safe,” she said and sighed. “I’m exhausted, though, so—”

“You’re not at the hotel.”

“You’re tracking me.”

“Clary, the man who was held at gunpoint with you, was it Seth Anderson?”

“Yes. You didn’t know?”

“The police commissioner said it was your boyfriend, then amended that to ‘colleague’ when I said you weren’t seeing anyone.”

“Yes, it was Seth.”

“Is he with you right now?” Mr. E asked.

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