Page 169 of The Clinch

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She got there.She’s safe.

It should settle something.

Instead the words hit like a wrench under the ribs.

The Cherokee.

Her building. Her locks. Her walls.

Not here.

I stare at the screen too long.

My thumb moves before I can stop it.

LEO

Lock the door when you get upstairs

I delete it.

LEO

Text me if you need

Delete that too.

I set the ring on the island before I crack it in my hand, then type the only word that doesn’t reach for her.

LEO

Okay

The message goes.

That’s all.

No heart. No softness. No opening.

Good.

That’s what she asked for.

My phone stays in my hand. I keep staring at the thread as if another text might appear.

It doesn’t.

A minute later, it buzzes.

NATE

She’s here. Eden’s with her. We’ve got her

I read it twice.

Then another one.

NATE

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