Page 61 of Wild Card (The Trident Trilogy 3)

“More importantly right now, why don’t you tell me what Raine’s hiding from me? She won’t look at me.”

Millie sighs. “God, she’s an awful liar—”

“The worst,” I say, laughing. “She’s going to tell me if you don’t. You know I’ll force it out of her.”

“Yeah,” she says slowly. “Don’t overreact. Okay?”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“Look, long story, short. After you left the piazza, Amina Petrovic showed up. She had a gun. I knocked her out. The authorities finally got there and arrested her. She’s gone.”

I take a deep breath and blow it out. “Okay,” I say slowly. “I feel like you’re leaving out huge, important chunks of that story—”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s the most important thing, but we’re going to get way more into that story when I get home.” I pause for a second. “For instance, what do you mean when you say you knocked her out?”

“Knocked her out cold with a right hook. One shot and she was down.”

I try unsuccessfully to suppress a laugh. “Okay, killer. I guess you really are Mack’s daughter. That’s his favorite punch, too.”

“Speaking of,” she says. “Why don’t you tell me what Raine won’t tell me about you? You know I can get stuff out of her, too.”

“With the right hook?”

“If necessary,” she says forcefully. “Stop stalling, Mason. Confess. What did you do?”

“You’re going to be pissed.”

“Just tell me—”

“I tested your blood against Amar’s,” I blurt out.

“I know,” she says, laughing. “I saw you steal the Kleenex. You’re not as sneaky as you think you are.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you saw me? Are you mad?”

“No, I know it’s just who you are.” She sighs, but I can tell she’s not mad. “Did Raine test it for you?”

“Yeah, but don’t be mad at her, babe. She didn’t want to. I was kind of an asshole to her about it.”

“I’m not mad at anyone.”

“You’re not Amar’s daughter. Not even a little bit of a chance.”

“I never thought I was.” She pauses for a second. “I’m not mad at you. I know you were trying to protect me like you always do.”

“Someone has to—”

“Umm, you know, I took care of two armed people in the last day without you.”

My heart stops beating for a second. “Are you trying to kill me right now, Millie? Because if you are, good job. I already feel so guilty—”

“Mase,” she says softly. “I’m just teasing you. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, I can take care of myself if I need to—”

“I know you can. I’ve known that from the beginning. But I don’t want you to. That’s my job and it makes me crazy when I’m not there to do it.”

“I know, babe. And honestly, I don’t want to take care of myself anymore. You do it so much better.”

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