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Go get him.

She snorts, mutters, “Pancakes,” then snores again.

Go get him.

I stare at my reflection until my pulse steadies into something that feels a lot like decision.

Tomorrow, Chicago could open its mouth and swallow us whole. Russ could be waiting somewhere in the dark with his gun and his excuses and every ugly thing he ever made me believe.

But Leon is out there tonight.

And I am so tired of letting fear be the thing that moves me.

I tuck the letter with the others, close the box, and slip it into my bag. I grab the letter I should have given Leon days ago. Then I ease open Max’s door and step into the cold.

The door clicks shut softly behind me.

I head for the ER van first.

Trish is still up, sitting in the driver’s seat with a lantern at her side and a book open in her lap. Carlos and Luis are asleep in the back, buried under mismatched blankets on the gurney, Luis curled toward his brother. The cover catches my eye. Some massive blue troll is holding a very busty woman who looks thrilled about her life choices.

Right.

Monster romance era.

“Trish,” I say.

She glances up, and her eyes light at whatever she sees on my face. “Well, this feels important.”

“Can you keep an eye on camp for a bit?”

Her brow lifts. “Isn’t that what our resident brooding lumberjack is doing?”

“He is.” I try for casual. I fail so hard it should qualify as a medical event. “But he’s going to be busy tonight.”

Her grin turns wicked.

“Oh,” she says slowly. “Oh, I see.”

“Just until Lyla’s shift. I’ll take yours tomorrow. Promise.”

Trish scoffs. “No need. I am always willing to help my brothers with their love lives.” She snaps her book shut and hops down from her seat. “Besides, I don’t think you’ll be able to stay awake after the night you have planned.”

Heat rushes into my face. “That is wildly presumptuous.”

“Is it?”

“No.”

She laughs.

I grab her hand and squeeze. “Thanks, Trish.”

I turn to leave, then stop.

Practicality taps me on the shoulder.

I glance toward the back of the van, where Carlos and Luis are still asleep, then lower my voice. “Do you have a condom?”