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He didn’t know what to believe—had Claire been brainwashed, possessed, or just plain deranged? None of those scenarios made him feel any better. No explanation would.
It would be easier to blame a supernatural source of evil for the Reaper murders and Claire’s part in them. But Jake had seen too many times the wickedness mere mortals were capable of.
He would have to tell Dana about this. But not tonight. Maybe not even the next. As Jake watched her lights flick out, he told himself she would be okay. She was the strongest person he’d ever met. She’d get through this. He’d be there to make sure of it.
Starting the engine, he pulled away from Dana’s house, driving toward his own, heart heavy with the truth.
124
Shirtless,Jake answered his door, gun in hand. At 3AM, he didn’t know who he’d been expecting when his doorbell rang, but it wasn’t Dana Gray, duffle bag in hand, tears in her eyes. He took one look at her and pulled her inside.
“I’m sorry I woke you,” she sobbed into his chest.
“You didn’t.”
“You were right. I don’t want to be alone.”
Jake wrapped his arms tightly around her. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want to forget.” She looked up at him with those pleading brown eyes. “Can you make me forget?”
Words were no longer necessary. Jake picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
In the newmorning light Jake stretched his taut muscles like a cat in a pool of sunshine. A smug smile carved his lips even in sleep as the memories from his night with Dana began to resurface in the stolen moments between dreams and waking.Each perfect memory knitting itself to the next to block out the pain. Against all odds, they had found salvation in each other; love amongst tragedy. Life amongst death.
Jake rolled over in bed, reaching out for Dana already craving more. When his hand met cold sheets, he awoke. Even before he was fully alert, he knew the truth. His feet had yet to touch the floor, and already he knew there would be no coffee brewing in the kitchen. No duffle bag in the living room. No Dana.
She was gone.
Grabbing only his phone and gun, he went looking anyway.
125
The lightsof the city had long faded in her rearview, but Dana could still feel the tether pulling her back no matter how many miles she put between her and D.C.
After six missed calls and a slew of text messages, Dana finally answered Jake’s call. It was the last message that had pierced her heart. Four little words she couldn’t ignore.
Jake: Tell me you’re ok.
Dana answered the next call. “I’m okay, Jake.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m sorry. I-I just needed to get out of the city.”
“Don’t apologize. Just tell me where you are, and I’ll come.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“Dana …”
“No, I mean it. I need time or space to figure this out.”
“I get that, but I thought we decided we’d figure it out together.”
She was silent for so long Jake thought he lost her.
“Dana?”
