Page 21 of Rayna's Daddy

“At least I think I broke it.” She leaned toward me. “I’ve never seen so much blood.”

“You did good. Protected yourself. Like a true Ninja.” I winked.

Her mouth fell open.

“Is that when you walked in?” Agent Stanley turned to me.

“Yeah, I was going to rescue her, but she rescued herself.”

“And then I threw up on your shoes.” A smile played at the edge of her lips, but her eyes were filled with regret.

Chandler chuckled.

I shook my head.

“They must have given me something,” she adjusted in her seat, “I was loopy last night. Saying all sorts of crazy things.” She avoided my gaze.

“He’s going to be looking for her.” Agent Stanley said to me.

“After, who.” Rayna pointed to herself. “Me?”

“He’s going to be after you guys, too.” Agent Stanley looked around the room.

“Why?” Rayna stood up. “Because of me?”

I rubbed her arm and coaxed her back into her seat.

“I can take her with me, put her in protective custody.” Again, he addressed me.

“Protective custody?” Rayna squawked. “I have to get back to Jersey and find a job, or I can’t go back to school.”

“Hopefully we find him by the end of the summer.” Agent Stanley closed his notebook and stood.

“By the end of summer . . .” Rayna’s mouth opened and closed, but no other words came out. Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at Agent Stanley. He paid her no attention, her ire turning toward me.

“Okay, stop.” I stood up.

She jumped and her mouth clamped shut.

“Stanley. You have any more questions for Rayna.” I gripped the side of the table.

He looked at his notepad and shrugged. “Not at the moment.”

“She’s not going into protective custody.” I turn to Rayna. “You can stay here with me.”

Josh opened his mouth. I shot him a look, and he shut it.

“Don’t you think it will be safer for her if she’s in the FBI’s custody?” Chandler offered his unsolicited opinion. He rolled his eyes and stood up.

“Excuse me.” Rayna lifted her hand.

“She will be just as safe here.” I pointed to the ground. “It’s impossible for anyone to get up here.”

“Kyler.” She leaned forward and grabbed my arm.

“Just a minute Rayna.”

Patrick stood near the wall. I needed him to back me up. “That way we know she’ll be safe until Santorini is caught.”

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