Page 30 of Run with Me

“It’s only for three days, Xavier.”

“I haven’t cleared the place, so unless you change one of our rules, I can’t let anyone in without clearingit.”

While I appreciated Xavier’s commitment to our business, I was a bit more afraid of Mary’s reaction than breaking a businessrule.

“You’re going out on a job without having cleared it?” Keeping our houses free of work was essential. No work at home; it was the only way to keep safe. Our jobs and our private lives could never be connected.

If I bit down any harder, my jaw would snap. Anna stood up and looked down at her barefeet.

“I already told you guys… I can just go. I’ll be fine.” She swayed and almost lost her balance. Xavier caught her before she fell to the ground, and we both said at the same time, “You’re staying here. No arguments.”

“Are you two related?” she asked.

“We’ll tell you all about it in the morning, once the antibiotics begin working.” Xavier was holding her body against his. Though she didn’t seem like she was completely comfortable, she didn’t moveaway.

“What antibiotics?”

“The ones I’m about to give you,” he whispered from the side, and then in one swift move, he lifted her into hisarms.

“What are you doing?”

“Carrying you upstairs to the guest bedroom. I don’t think you canwalk.”

“Put me down. I’m fine,” she yawned. “Me siento cansada.”

I knew the few drops of valerian in her honey tea would ease her to sleep and reduce the anxiety.

“I’ll put you down to go to bed if you agree to take the antibiotics. Then I’ll tell you how I metJack.”

Yup, Xavier was smitten with the girl. I couldn’t blame him. I wasn’t sure what drew me to her as well, but my gut told me that I’d run into her for a reason. I didn’t know what that reason was, but I knew she would permanently change mylife.

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