Page 95 of Depths of Destruction

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I jump, quickly reminding him, "Darien, you know I'm bad with geography."

"What did it look like?" he says through gritted teeth.

"Sand and water. Like any other beach."

"Were there lots of people?"

"No. We had to walk a bit until we got to a resort."

"What resort?"

"I don't know."

"Liar," he shouts.

"I'm not. I don't know. I didn't pay attention."

He pulls into the parking lot of a hotel. "You aren't going to be able to show me where it is in the dark, are you?"

"No."

He puts his hands over his face.

I sit as close to the door as I can, fearing he may go berserk on me.

When he removes his hands, he's calmed. The Darien I'm used to is back. "I'm sorry I hit you."

"It's okay," I tell him, even though it isn't.

His hand reaches to my cheek, and I try not to cringe or shake. "Have you eaten dinner?"

Have I eaten? Like I could.

"No."

"I'm going to come around and open the door. We'll get a room and grab some dinner. Tomorrow we will find the boat first thing in the morning."

Get a room.My stomach twists.

"You have a problem with my plan, Naomi?"

"No."

He strokes my cheek with his thumb. "Am I able to trust you again?"

"Yes."

"Don't try anything funny, Naomi. If you do, I'll have to do something I don't want to."

I don't want to find out what that is.

"I won't."

He smiles at me. It's the expression I've loved for years, and it's as if it's mocking me.

I don't know who you are.

Did I ever?

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