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howl at the lady. She laughs this bitter, high-pitched cackle, fueling my anger. I lunge at her, ready to throw a full-on tantrum.
    Her hand whips out faster than my Pop’s and connects with my temple. I flail to the ground next to her feet. My cheek stings white hot with pain.
    “Thirty-three, there are rules to be followed here. You may call me Dee. Go back to your room and study your schedule. You will be expected to attend lunch in the great hall today. Out.”
    I push myself back to my feet, my hand covering my hurt cheek, and glower at the mean lady. None of this can be true.
    After the memory fades and I’m sufficiently clean and beet red from the scalding water, I wrap my robe around myself and plod to my room, utterly exhausted. I grab my pillow from the plush, Tempur-Pedic mattress and toss it on the floor furthest from the door. I can never seem to fall asleep on anything outside of a cold, hard surface. Lord knows I’ve tried. I have enough money to buy the best of the best beds. It never seems to matter. A shoddy cot and a limp pillow end up being the best way to get the most sleep. I refuse to buy a cot. I curl up on the floor in the fetal position with my pillow in my dark bedroom and pray to a thousand non-existent gods that tonight I won’t recall any of my childhood.

Chapter Six
ATF Agent Bentley James
    “Well darkness has a hunger that's insatiable, and lightness has a call that's hard to hear. I wrap my fear around me like a blanket.”
    INDIGO GIRLS – “CLOSER TO FINE”
    The drive from the Napolis’ house to Pepper and Sawyer’s takes me an hour. I’m not used to all the back roads. I’m anxious about seeing Pepper in the flesh again. Not because I want her anymore but because I know that my presence means bad news has arrived.
    I pull into their driveway and throw the rental into park. The living room lights are on and the sight I’m forced to witness has me wishing the car would swallow me whole.
    Sawyer and Pepper are dancing together. His arms are wrapped around her waist, keeping her close, and her head is resting on his chest. They sway perfectly in sync together. The black hole in my heart wants to shrivel up and implode at the utter perfection of their moment. I’m supposed to go in there and probably ruin their night with news that yet again Pepper could be in danger.
    I pound my fist on the steering wheel in frustration. All I want for her is a happy ending. Peace. She lifts her head as Sawyer’s leans down and when their lips meet I know this is the time to go in. Let me deliver crap news on the aftereffects of a passionate kiss. I toy with the key ring, unsure if this is the right move. Finally, decisively, I take the keys out and get out of the car.
    Tap. Tap. Tap. The door swings open. Pepper’s eyes bulge.
    “Bentley?” she breathes in confusion. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Sawyer appears behind her.
    “Hi,” he greets.
    “Hi, guys. You look...well,” I offer, suddenly feeling awkward. Out of place. Pepper blinks.
    Once. Twice. Three times.
    Sawyer moves her aside gently and ushers me in. We all sit in the living room, me in the chair and Pepper on Sawyer’s lap on the couch. Her jet-black hair shines brilliantly in the lamplight.
    “So I’m sure you’re wondering why the hell I’m here,” I start. Sawyer chuckles.
    “Pepper probably more so than me.”
    “Well, I wish it was good news, but, hell...I don’t even know if it is news.”
    “Bentley, spit it out,” Pepper demands. “Your cryptic nature is pissing me off.” There she is. The Pepper I know and adore.
    “Sure thing, Princess.” I laugh. Sawyer scoots Pepper off his lap so that she’s situated in the crook of his arm, snuggled deeply.
    “Torren Delanti has propositioned Dominic Napoli.”
    “What?” she shrieks.
    “Shhh. Let the man finish,” Sawyer cuts in.
    “He wants to partner with Dominic to open a slew of new clubs around the U.S. Word underground is that these will be used