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“I’ll pay for your hotel.”

I blink. “What?”

“Transportation too.” The words come out faster now, urgency finally cracking through that carefully controlled exterior. “Whatever you need.”

“Okay.” I take a small step back. “Now you sound like you’re trying to get rid of a witness.”

He goes completely still.

I point at him. “That was a joke.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” I lift a brow.

“Yes.”

“Because your face did a thing.”

“My face didn’t do anything.”

“Your face does a lot for someone who claims it doesn’t.”

For the briefest second, irritation flickers across it. Then his attention shifts past me. The change is immediate. His shoulders tense, and his entire body seems to sharpen as he focuses on something behind me.

I follow his gaze.

Rhett.

He’s standing at the edge of the bonfire light, still wearing his mask, watching us…. or maybe watching me.

I smile. “My friend.”

“He isn’t your friend.”

The answer comes a little too quickly.

I glance back at Ezra. “He’s friendlier than you.”

“He chased you through a field.” There’s an edge to his voice now that wasn’t there before.

I fight another smile. “I paid him to do that too.”

Ezra looks like that answer physically pains him.

Rhett lifts his hand and waves.

I wave back but then Ezra catches my wrist again. This time the ribbon is between his fingers. “Ezra.” I snap.

“I can cut it.”

“No.” I try to pull away but his grip tightens.

“Two seconds.”

“Stop. You’re hurting me.” I whimper and he releases me.

I rub at my wrist not because he hurt me but because the skin beneath the ribbon feels strangely hot. “You guys take this shit way too seriously.”