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

1/8

C

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.

back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas really

didn’t he?”

me, because–well, they’re still arguing.

the clatter of her -heels against the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching

beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the afternoon sun. Cars crawl along the streets

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in Westwood (1)

this height. People

It’s busy.

Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From the

made my own.

From Selene.

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 there’s only silence.

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 hours tick by with no

insidious and cold.

to her? What if she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist, bile rising

15.30

<

in Westwood

me feeling only half myself.

will her

answer, just the muted sounds of the city and Lisa’s ongoing argument

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

sigh is heavy, weighted with the responsibility -he carries. “Lisa, I understand your frustration. But Ava’s safety is our top priority. We can’t take any chances.

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

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Life in Westwood

my skin, the way his teeth dug into my neck

head, rent–free.

up on the floor, hands over my head, waiting for the torment of my pack members to end. Of the day

my jaw, fighting against the

girl anymore. I survived. I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even

it in a way that makes me almost

wrong way.

will change a lot of things, I guess.

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