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.

13:30

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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.

fingers along the back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas really

didn’t he?”

they don’t hear me, because–well,

-heels against the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you think someone’s going to scale fifteen stories and

the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the

248

Life in Westwood (1)

People crowd

It’s busy.

the Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From the little apartment I’d

made my own.

From Selene.

thought of her. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her voice 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 warmth of her consciousness, but

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 she’d found a way to reach me despite the distance. But as the

insidious and cold.

happened to her? What if she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist, bile rising in my throat. I can’t lose her. She’s a part of

15.30

<

Life in Westwood

now. Her absence leaves me feeling only half

against the cool glass, squeezing my eyes shut as if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg silently. Please

just the muted sounds of the

lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Ava’s been through enough. She

is our top priority. We can’t take any chances. Not all the Blackwoods are accounted for, and there’s a good chance they’ll be looking for

want to vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack that flash behind my eyelids. The phantom pain of his claws.

978

in Westwood

skin, the way his teeth dug

in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

waiting for the torment of my pack members to end. Of the day

work at my jaw, fighting against the wave of nausea. No,

let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even

Self–defense and more. I’m looking forward to it in a way that makes me almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge in my soul–the one that wants to slaughter anyone who

wrong way.

change a lot of things, I

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