Tangled

Chapter 96

96 Ava: Life in Westwood (I)

Lucas still calls me every night, but Lisa had helped encourage me to text him yesterday, asking for space, at least until he returns to Westwood.

I’m sure he gets hourly reports from all my guards, but at least I don’t have to worry about playing nice when I’m starting to feel resentful and frustrated, despite knowing I should be grateful for being saved.

I’m grateful to him for a lot. Having guards around should be a small price for all of this. It’s just hard.

“Welcome home!” Lisa exclaims as she flings open the door to her new apartment.

When Lisa said that Lucas had settled her into an

apartment, I’d expected something… I don’t know.

Normal?

This is far from normal.

The luxurious living room has been decorated in some

sort of eclectic, artistic mix of boho wall decor and minimalist furniture, leaving bright, wide open spaces with bright splashes of color and texture on the walls.

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96 Ava. Life in Westwood (1)

Floor–to–ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, framed by curtains I’m afraid to even touch. How can curtains look so expensive?

A sleek kitchen gleams in the corner, all stainless steel appliances and marble countertops, with white

cabinets that are going to be a terrible experience to keep clean. It’s like the entire apartment was made with maid service in mind.

I breathe, running my fingers along the back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas

didn’t he?”

they don’t hear me, because–well, they’re still

a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you think someone’s

cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting

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Ava Life in Westwood

People crowd the

It’s busy.

from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From the little apartment

made my own.

From Selene.

in my head, felt her presence curled around my mind like a contented cat. I keep reaching for her, hoping to brush against the familiar

a rate that I’d truly expected to hear Selene in my head any day now, assuming it was a side effect of our bond. I’d hoped it meant Selene was getting closer, that

insidious and cold.

What if she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my

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Life in Westwood (1)

leaves me feeling only half

if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation.

no answer, just the muted sounds of

every aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a

But Ava’s safety is our top priority. We can’t take any chances. Not all the Blackwoods are accounted for, and there’s a good

mention of my former pack has me shuddering. Thinking of Mom and Dad makes me want to vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack that flash behind my eyelids. The

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Life in Westwood

my skin, the way his teeth dug

think about that odious little shit again, but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free.

floor, hands over my head, waiting for the torment of my

against the wave of nausea. No,

And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even

makes me almost want to shy away from the

wrong way.

dying will change a lot of things,

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