Page 35 of Haze of Obedience

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7

Dirk

Present Day

When Zoeand I return to camp, my mind is spinning with everything she revealed to me, but I also want to know what she isn't disclosing. People have hurt her. I'm assuming they are all men, but I could be wrong. Either way, I want to kill anyone who laid a hand on her.

I stop at the edge of the woods. Her face is only inches from mine. She looks at me how she gazed at me in the middle of the night and I contemplate kissing her, wondering if she’ll freak again, but there’s shouting that pulls me out of my trance.

There isn't any time to think about it because Ryker and Hunter are about to throw punches and kill each other. I set Zoe down and step between them.

They fill us in that Vanessa had a panic attack, and Julieta and Hunter got into an argument.

Zoe briefly smiles. "I understand how Julieta gets. She and I have gone head to head before. But she's dealing with things we aren't."

"Like what?" Ryker asks.

"You'll have to get that information from her. I don't know any details."

"Of course, you don't. No one will tell us anything, so none of you should expect any help," Hunter barks.

Zoe crosses her arms and tilts her head. "Does that include Vanessa?"

That's my woman. Put him in his place.

She's not your woman. Don't even try to take advantage of her again.

"You don't need to answer that." Zoe pats me on the cheek. "Your stock just went up, country boy."

Country boy. Great. She thinks I'm podunk.

Well, you did grow up there.

She's the most famous Latina singer on the planet. You are podunk compared to her.

She turns to leave.

Hunter reaches for her arm. "Zoe."

"Don't touch her," I growl, and he releases her.

She spins and raises her eyebrows.

"Sometimes I'm a dick. I'm sorry."

She smiles. "Yeah. Sometimes I'm a diva. You're forgiven." She winks and turns again.

"Zoe."

"Hmm?"

"Will you tell me when I can go in and see Vanessa?"

"Sure. You need to suck it up and make nice with Julieta, though."

"Fine," he grumbles.

"Don't worry. I've had to do it a lot. I'll coach you on what to say."

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