Page 51 of The Way You Hurt Me

I know the point she's trying to make. What I don't understand is why. "I can't go down this road, Ava. I can't just make myself think…"

"Think what, Willow?" She shifts her legs, leaning in, but I remain silent.

I can read frustration on her expression.

"I spent three years attempting to make you see what we all see in the mirror. You're a gorgeous, intelligent, irresistible woman. And I think you believe that about Ruby Red, but you still don't seem to understand that the people in your life might also see you that way."

I can't make myself reply. I can't make myself entertain this possibility.

She's trying to say she thinks Dimitri likes me, and he justdoesn't.

"Let's give you a moment to process all that, yes? I'm helping some of the people downstairs. Would you like to assist me? That might take your mind of things."

"Yeah, that sounds…" I clear my throat. "I'd be happy to help."

24

WILLOW

I'm the cup-of-tea maker. I pretend I don't know my new, completely useless function is designed to, first, give me a break after Ava's emotional interrogation, and secondly, to give me some perspective; make me realize how much worse my life could have been.

Which I do.

I couldn't take it in the hall with all those broken people at once, but now I really look, and hear their story, and watch as they break down, and put themselves back together.

Ava is amazing as a liaison; exactly the best person for the job.

The girl in front of us has a blanket wrapped around her thin body, and bruises all over her face, her arms. I want to hug her.

I want to cry.

I want to kiss Dimitri.

"Now, Anika, I understand they took your passport," Ava says gently. "It wasn't possible for us to recover them, but we'll have new documents made for you. What’s your year of birth? You can choose your birthday, but it should be the right year or thereabouts."

"Two thousand and one?" she seems to be asking more than saying.

"Good. Do you have a name preference? You can keep it close to your real one if it's easier for you, but you can choose whatever you'd like."

Her voice is very different from the one she uses when she speaks to me; sweeter, softer, like she's coaxing a wounded animal out of hiding.

"Any name?"

"Any you’d like to use for the rest of your life. It’s easier to handle new identities than reuse your old one."

"Is this…I mean, would it be legal? I don't want trouble."

"The government is aware of and supports our initiative, yes. Your new documents aren't going to be forged, if that's your question. And they'll be given to you, with no conditions." Ava reaches across the desk to take Anika's hand.

Anika's not easily convinced. "What’s the catch?"

Ava doesn't look mad or insulted of the lack of trust. "You’ll be given a choice. You can leave with five thousand in cash in your pocket and your new ID. Go wherever you want, do what you’d like. But then your life isyourresponsibility. We can’t spend all our resources protecting everyone. Otherwise, you can remain here under the Wolf umbrella. Well, not here, here. We have apartment complexes all over the country. Some aboard, too. There are plenty of different jobs you could do."

"What sort of job?" she pushes.

"I don't know. I don't work in HR, so I'm not sure of the current positions, but anything from secretarial, hospitality, administration, to more white-collar jobs, if you're qualified for it."

"So you're saying you don't want me to be a whore?" Anika asks directly.

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