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As soon as I reached the stairs her head snapped up, eyes wide. “I’m awake.”

I chuckled. “I’m sure you are.”

She looked around then at me. “We’re watching the movie, right?” She yawned as we entered the front door.

“You’re tired. Go back to sleep.”

“No.” She protested. “I’m awake, I swear. Please?”

I gave in and carried her to the living room. After I lowered her to the couch I headed to her bedroom to grab her blanket.

When I reentered the living room I found her sitting in the exact same position except her eyes were closed.

“What are we watching?” I asked, startling her awake and she blinked rapidly.

“Bolt, please.” She yawned and I sat down beside her. She laid her head on my lap and I covered her with her blanket before grabbing the remote.

I knew she’d be asleep within the next two minutes, but she clearly wanted to watch this movie with me.

After turning the movie on she yawned. “You’re my bolt, Antonio,” she murmured and I looked down to see her eyes flutter closed.

I brushed her curls out of her face. “You’re my bolt too, kid.”

CHAPTER 33

Nirah

I didn’t think watching Sally wave at me from the backseat of Nereus’s car would affect me as much as it did.

Rosalia and Silvia were on either side of me, their arms hooked with mine as we watched the car go further and further away from us.

Antonio was silently standing a great distance away from us. Not a single word from him. Knowing him, he didn’t care. He was probably just happy to finally have one less person to consider.

Rosalia matched my saddened expression as we turned and walked up the stairs and through the front door.

“Sally will be fine.” Silvia assured me and I exhaled sharply.

“I know.”

Both of them needed to get back to work— thankfully for Silvia it meant with Rosalia and everyone else in the house—so I headed to my bedroom and decided to distract myself by getting ready for the stupid fight Antonio had tonight.

I reached for my towel then froze. Huh… maybe seeing him get beat up will be good for me. I grinned. Yeah…

Suddenly, I wasn’t mindlessly roaming around my bedroom to get ready. I had some pep in my step.

Step one was to ensure Antonio didn’t kill Silvia. Check. Step two was to get her into the house. Check. Step three… getting her the hell out of here. But of course, she wasn’t leaving without me.

* * *

I was on Kiryl’s arm when we entered the familiar venue. I ran my hand down my red, floor length dress.

My pulse drummed in my neck as I brushed my hair back and off my shoulder.

The last time I was here… was with Cesar.

I looked up at Kiryl. “Have you talked to Cesar today?”

“Yes, Miss Nirah.” He led me further. “And he left me with very important instructions for tonight.” He glanced down and hope sparked inside of me.