Page 134 of Exposé

Together?

"Okay, yeah, sure."

"Ava, don't pacify me on this one. He could be dangerous."

"I'm not. I don't see what you're seeing."

Liam let loose a deep growl. "Maybe you don'twantto see it."

Possible.

"Maybe." Thunder rumbled in the distance, the sky growing darker.

"Listen, I have to go. My CI is calling, but don't do anything until we're together. Please."

"Alright, alright. I'll talk to you later." I hung up the phone and slid it into my pocket.

Brushing off my back and butt the best I could, I waltzed into the only job I'd ever known to collect my things.

"Ava, it's been a while." Daniel closed the maintenance closet and wheeled his cart from the wall. "I thought you'd quit."

I gave him a soft smile. "I did quit. I'm just here to get my things."

"You and Aria in the same thirty-day period? What are you two planning?"

Laughter bubbled up from my tight chest. "Nothing Daniel. It's time to part ways, that’s all."

We walked to my old cubical as he caught me up on his grandkids and their new hobbies as the winter approached.

"I'll get you a box." He placed his hand on my upper arm with a gentle squeeze.

"You don't have to do that."

"Aehhh." He wheeled his cart away, and I gathered my items into a singular stack.

"Ava," Whitney poked her head halfway out of her office. "Can I see you for a moment?"

Grinding my teeth, I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath before walking to her office.

My stomach swam with vile acid, which threatened to burn the tender flesh in the back of my throat.

What did she want?

Would she try to convince me to stay?

"Hi, Whitney." I slipped between her and the doorway, making my way into her office.

She shut the door behind us. "I'm asking you to reconsider."

"No." My fingers twitched, my head shifted with a shake. I crossed my arms over my chest and put space between us. "You are supposed to have my back against the establishment."

"I am—do. I have your back."

"No. You are no longer acting in the best interest of the public, but what benefits you and this newspaper. That's not journalism."

She shook her head. "Ava, you don't know what you're talking about."

"Then enlighten me. You let me go for it, and then suddenly, it's no longer a touchable topic." My arms branched out into the space beside me, then dropped to my sides. "What gives?"

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