Page 90 of Fiona and the Fixer

“It made you really strong?” I asked Hannah, ignoring Dax. I hadn’t expected that.

She nodded, then flexed her bicep like in a strongmancompetition. It looked a little silly since she was a tiny thing.

Jack grinned, appearing proud of her newfound feat. He was the only one who wasn’t freaking out. “Like the Hulk.”

Holy shit. I believed her, because I wanted her to believe I could hear freakishly well.

“WHAT IS GOING ON?” Dax shouted even louder. “I thought we were going to talk about the Fentanyl trafficking.”

“Fentanyl trafficking?” Hannah asked, eyes wide. “We’ve been gone for four days. What else could happen?”

“Elise got appendicitis,” Dax said. “I’ve been running the bookstore.”

Hannah’s eyes bugged out of her head. “You don’t know how–wait.” She threw her head back and laughed. “I bet theylovedyou with that handsome face and growly personality.”

Dax rolled his eyes, and I could’ve sworn he was blushing.

“You have no idea,” I added, trying not to smirk.

“Hey, I thoughtIhad the growly personality,” Jack said to Hannah.

She went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You’ve got all the growl I want.”

Seemingly content, Jack leaned against the counter. “Now I see why you called us back early.” He smirked at Dax. “How’s that break going?”

“Break from what?” I countered.

Dax ignored Jack and stared at me. Ignored my questions, too. “Bionic hearing? Because of the radiation?”

I nodded. So did Hannah. “We got letters telling us there was a maintenance issue with the radiation machine during the time we had our treatments. I got crazy hearing, and it seems Hannah can lift heavy stuff.”

I couldn’t tell by the expression on his face if he thought I was messing with him or if he was freaked out.

“I know you’re really strong,” Dax said to Hannah. “I thought it was from Pilates or something. Notradiation.”

Hannah shook her head as if disappointed. “Have you ever known me to exercise?”

Dax took a moment to consider that, then looked to me.

“Show me.”

“Show you what?” I frowned.

“Your bionic hearing.”

“Oh, this is gonna be fun,” Jack added.

44

FIONA

“You don’t believe me,”I said. I was hurt that he didn’t, even if it sounded farfetched.

Dax shrugged.

“I haven’t lied to you,” I added.

It may have taken me a while to tell the truth, but I never lied to him.

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