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I nod. Shrug. Super-noncommittal am I. “Like I said, she’s improved, but...” But nothing I’ve been told yet puts my mind fully at rest. “She needs someone with her.”
“Her family?”
“Her parents are in Europe for another week, but, regardless, she insists they not know.”
Confusion clouds over Maddie’s face. “And Tripp?”
“Probably especially not Tripp. I’ve been uninvited, as well.”
Maddie is quiet, then nods. “I’ll go now. Does she know I’m coming?”
I gnaw my lip.
“Okay then.”
I tell her the floor and the room number, then turn to go. “Oh, and…” I pivot back. “If Tripp does show up at some point, I’d appreciate if you left my name out of things. I’m not asking you to lie or anything…”
She smiles sweetly, kind of sympathetically. “I won’t mention your name at all. Now, if Annalise says something…”
“Of course. That’s her decision.”
I hesitate, reluctant to sever my final tie to Annalise.
“Marco?”
I glance up.
“Would you like to leave me your number? So I can keep you updated?”
Yes.That’s exactly what I want.
Whipping our cells out, we exchange numbers, and I head for my truck.
“Marco?”
As I’ve moved toward the street, Maddie has taken a few steps and is closer than I anticipate when I turn. “Yes?”
“Where are you going now? Are you leaving town?”
A sigh escapes. “I’m not sure.”
“Are you headed back to Dallas?”
This stops me. I don’t believe Dallas was ever mentioned in our conversation two nights ago, and most definitely not today, so I don’t have to look too deeply into her eyes to understand that she’s been watching the news. Maybe she recognized me from the get-go, that or I’ve hit the headlines again. I don’t care to know. I’m sure Tripp, or my lawyer, at least, will call me when it’s time.
I examine the toes of my Nikes. “Not Dallas.”
She nods, and the sympathy around her eyes makes me squirm. I hate pity.
“One more thing…I’d appreciate, too, if you didn’t bother Annalise with my problems. She’s got enough to worry about at the moment.” Would she worry for me?
Maddie slants her head at my request. No, Annalise isn’t aware of my troubles and she doesn’t need to be.
Finally, Maddie nods, knowing in her eyes. “Sure thing. And Marco? We’ll be praying for you too.”
CHAPTER 13
Marco
