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I blinked. “This isn’t possible. I can’t run.”
He took my hands in his. “You won’t be running. You’ll be living.”
“I don’t know enough. I don’t know how this works.” My eyes lifted to his. “I suppose you have a new name too?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t yet decided on this trip. I thought I’d let you choose for me. It seemed fair since I picked Vanessa.”
“I don’t know who you are,” I whispered.
“You do know me. You know who I am. Look at me, Em.”
I met his gaze.
“Do you trust me?”
God, I knew I should say no. That I didn’t trust anything about him. He was a liar and a criminal. He had evaded authorities and betrayed his country. But I did know him. I knew his soul and he knew mine.
“I don’t know how to call you another name. To switch back and forth like this.”
“Then don’t. I’m Vaughn. I’m yours. That’s all that matters.” He traced my lip with his thumb. “Just make sure not to use that one in public.”
“Oh God,” I uttered.
“It will be easier than you think. You’ll get used to it.”
“But what about my life?” I looked around my tiny room. It was dawning on me what all of this meant. There was more at stake than slipping up on false names.
“You can visit it sometime.”
“It’s almost Thanksgiving. My mom will freak out.” I was grasping at the most insignificant details.
“Moms do that anyway.”
“And my job? The students? My classes?” I gawked at him. “I have cases and clients who depend on me. And what about Greer? I just walk out on the lease and leave her with the apartment?”
He eyed me. “She has Preston.”
“I have a huge case. With Lana. You met her. She’s counting on me to help her.”
He brushed my hair away from my face. “She will be in good hands. I admit, not as good as if you were her attorney, but still she will be taken care of. They all will. You have to put yourself first for a change.”
“And I should just walk away from the faculty position? Abandon my mentees?”
He smiled. “Let Addie have it.”
It was a long shot I’d get the position anyway. I had made certain of that with my last meeting with Max.
“Garrett?” I looked at him. “Oh God, he would think I abandoned him again.”
“I thought he was in a good place right now. I think he would want you to do something good for yourself.”
This was insane. The actual definition of insanity lay in the fake passport I held in my palm. I wasn’t this person.
“I’m not a criminal, Vaughn. I protect the good. I go after the bad guys. That’s why I’m an attorney. That’s why I put in so many hours at the clinic. It’s why I moved to D.C. It’s why I’m at American. I’m not a thief. I’ve never committed a crime—ever.” I felt the panic boiling just under my skin. I didn’t know if I could breathe. “What you’re asking is … crazy. It’s impossible. It’s … it’s … is it treason? Am I a traitor too?” My eyes were frenzied.
“Hold on. Hold on.” He gripped my shoulders. “Drink this.” He put a glass of water in my hand. “Take some breaths. We can slow this down a second.”
I did as he told me.
