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.

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

didn’t he?”

me, because–well, they’re

the clatter of her -heels against the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you

gruff response, focusing instead on the sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the

248

Ava Life in Westwood

this height. People crowd the streets.

It’s busy.

from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind

made my own.

From Selene.

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

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

insidious and cold.

my stomach twist, bile rising

15.30

<

Life in Westwood

leaves me feeling only half myself.

if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg silently. Please

sounds of the city and Lisa’s ongoing

aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a whip, jolting me out of

-he carries. “Lisa, I understand your frustration. 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

vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack that flash behind my

978

Life in

the way his teeth

to think about that odious little shit again, but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

spent kicking me when I was already curled 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 wave of nausea. No, never

scared, helpless girl anymore. I survived. I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even the man who claims to

that makes me almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge in my

wrong way.

change a lot of things, I guess.

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