Page 117 of Dark Endures

What? “Your sweet grandfather, who had cookies waiting for us every time we spent a break with him, taught you how to make a body disappear?”

“You don’t think we made our billions selling flowers and rainbows, do you?” Winnie raises an eyebrow at me.

No. But he was such a sweetheart.

“My sister didn’t have the stomach to do what needed to be done. But I have no such qualms.” She puts her hand on her hips and turns back to me. “Now give me a name.”

Uh oh.

The door opens, and Cordelia steps in. “What is this place? They sent an armed—What happened?”

I slowly turn my head to look at Leonie. “What did you tell them?”

“That you needed us. And then I gave them the address. I didn’t want them to stress until we could see just how bad off you were.”

“Someone explain to me why armed guards escorted me down from the roof and why Mindy looks like she was on the losing side of a war.”

“A man hit Mindy,” Winnie answers. “And we’re about to get his name.”

If I’d ever thought of telling them who it was, I’m not going to now.

“A man hit you? Is this a hospital? I haven’t ever been to a hospital with armed guards that look like that.” Cordelia leans heavily against the door.

“This isn’t a hospital. It’s a women’s shelter. The best one in Urbium.” Leonie informs the group.

That leaves the group speechless.

Maybe I should have waited until after I healed a bit to call them up.

“A women’s shelter.” Tears form in Cordelia’s eyes.

Winnie rushes over and wraps her arms around Cordelia. “It’s okay. She’s going to be just fine. We’ll protect her now.”

I don’t need protection. I can take care of myself…That might be debatable today, but normally I’m very good at looking after myself.

There’s a knock on the door.

Immediately, my friends pull themselves together. They might cry in front of each other, but strangers don’t get to see that.

“Come in.”

“Kyle!” Why didn’t I expect to see him again today?

“It seems your friends turned up.” He grins at me.

“They did. I told you I have friends.”

“I assume the limo that’s about to arrive with the police escort is for you as well?”

That would be Ottilie. “Sirens on or off?”

“Does that matter?”

I shrug. “Kinda.” If they’re on, it’s probably not her.

“Sirens off but lights on. They’ve literally driven through the entire city to get here. It seems I don’t need to share my army with you.”

“What kind of army do you have?” Winnie steps forward.

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