Page 120 of Dangerous Encore

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4

Mal

After breakfast,Lacey takes a seat on the couch with her cell. She stares at the screen, her gazefuzzy.

I'm tempted to hide her phone, to offer sexual favors, whatever it takes to keep her from walking intothisfire.

She's going togethurt.

And I don'twantthat.

Lacey doesn't talk much about her mom. But it's enough I know Mrs. Waltz isn't someone I want in her life. In ourlives.

But I don't want this regret hanging over her headeither.

If she has to be sure, she has tobesure.

All I can do is stay byherside.

I move to the couch and place my body behind hers. "You'retense."

"I know." Her voice is as heavy as herposture.

"You want to talkaboutit?"

"No." She shifts into my lap. "I don't think there's much to say until I actuallycallher."

I lean in to brush my lips against her neck. "It's sweet you want toresolvethis."

"Or stupid. Is itstupid?"

"You're asking me if holding out hope your mom will change isstupid?"

"Goodpoint."

"Hey!"

"Was that a trap? You're betterthanthat."

I chuckle as I pull her closer. "I understand, baby. I understand wanting your parents to be there for the bigmoments."

Shenods.

"But what if she hasn'tchanged?"

Lacey presses her lips together. "That's most likely, Iguess."

"Don't tell her we're doing it now. Don't invite her until you're sure you want herthere."

"You think I'm an idiot? I was alreadyplanningthat."

Fuck, I love when she getssassy.

I rub her shoulders. "Put it on speaker, so I can pull you out if you getsuckedin."

"Idon'tknow…"

"Youtrustme?"

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