"No, absolutely not!"


    Elsie''s voice trembled with urgency. "This man-Sir-is dangerous, Evadne. Even Avery says that after all these years working for him, he''s only glimpsed a fraction of Sir''s true strength. There might be even greater powers backing him from the shadows!


    And think about it-Mr. Thaddeus can''t protect you like he once did. If Chad has his eyes on you, he''ll pounce at your weakest moment. Isn''t that just going to make things between you and Thaddeus even harder to mend?"


    The words hit Evadne like a tidal wave, leaving her breathless and aching inside.


    "Evadne... I know you''re brave, and I know you''re the hero among us girls-hell, you could put plenty of men to shame. But you''re not invincible. Some things are just too much for you alone. You need someone to watch your back, too!


    I''m not some noble soul-I just want the people I love, my friends, to be safe and well. That''s all. Sometimes, Evadne, you''ve got to let yourself be a little selfish."


    "I''ve always looked out for myself," Evadne replied, her words hollow even to her own ears. She tilted her head back, blinking hard to keep the tears from spilling over. "This is just me going back to how things used to be returning what was never mine to begin with. There''s nothing to be afraid of. I''ll get used to it, eventually."


    "And if Sir really is Chad, then Thaddeus staying away from me is for the best. I don''t want him getting hurt because of me-not again."


    Elsie let out a soft, helpless sigh, her heart twisting.


    Suddenly, Evadne''s expression changed, her voice sharp. "Elsie, from now on, stay in Skyrim. Don''t show your face in Elmsworth unless you absolutely have to. I''ll talk to Elvis and make sure you''re protected.


    If Chad isn''t Sir, then fine. But if he is, and he realizes you''ve recognized him, what makes you think he won''t target you?"


    Elsie tried to reassure her, "Sir only ever saw the old me-before the surgery. And even then, we barely met. He shouldn''t know who I am."


    Evadne''s gaze was fierce. "It doesn''t matter. Better safe than sorry-promise me you''ll be careful, okay?"


    Thaddeus strode through the parking lot, his steps quick and unsteady The moment he climbed into his car an icy chill swept over him and a splitting headache


    pierced his skull.


    Shaking, he doubled over the steering wheel, pressing his forehead against it


    again and again, desperate for relief that wouldn''te.


    He''d left Evadne so abruptly because he was on the verge of losing control-one more second, and he might have turned into something monstrous, right in front of her.


    His phone buzzed in his sweat-slicked palm-Gordon''s name shing on the screen.


    Thaddeus sucked in ragged breaths, his vision swimming, darkness closing in around him.


    Was it Evadne? Was it that kiss? Had it done this to him?


    The pain was overwhelming, threatening to shatter even his iron will.


    Finally, he broke. With trembling hands, he reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a packet of blue pills.


    Alexia had given them to him in his


    office days ago. He''d tossed them in the trast right in front of


    Gordon-only to secretly pocket a spare pack while no one was looking.


    Now, as pain tore through his mind and body, Thaddeus clenched his eyes shut


    and swallowed the pills one after another.


    Gradually, rity returned. The headache eased. The chill faded. He felt more himself stronger, even-than before.


    His first deal with the devil was done.<fn7ff6> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? findnovel</fn7ff6>