“Adora, what is it you like to do? When you’re not working for my father, I mean. When you have free time.”

“I don’t know,” she said.

“What is your favorite food?”

“Candy.”

Okay. Candy I could do. “I’m going to travel for a couple of days. I’d like you to stay here and recuperate, so the doctors can continue to treat your wounds. My Herald will come and check on you. Let her know if you need anything. However, if you don’t want to stay here and want to leave, you don’t need my permission. You are not a prisoner. If my father’s agents contact you, you don’t have to go back with them, but you can if you want to. It’s your choice. Okay?”

“Okay.”

I’d almost made it to the door when she called, “Kate?”

“Yes?”

“You will come back for me?”

“Yes.” If I don’t die.

“And then I will be useful, yes?”

“Yes.” I would go straight to hell. When I died, a hole would open under my feet and I would shoot right down there.

I walked to the waiting area and stopped by the cashier. “I’d like to pay for the next week.”

She gave me a number. I pulled out my wallet, took out a check—I’d learned to always keep a couple in there, folded in half—and wrote it out. I added fifty bucks to the check and pointed to the little gift shop and bakery behind me. “Also, I would like a small bag of each kind of candy you have brought to her.”

“If her doctor says it’s okay.”

“Let her have the candy.” Knowing how thorough my father was with his tools, Adora would likely heal fast.

I’m about to destroy your world, here is some candy. Ugh.

Teddy Jo stood up and we walked outside. “Who is she?”

“Were you listening in?”

“It’s only a few feet down the hallway and I have sharp hearing.”

“She’s what happens when my father wants a weapon who never questions him. She also might be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.” I climbed into the swing.

“I’m sure it’s not that bad,” he said.