“It was stupid, so stupid of me, to rush to meet Tony.” I just wanted my life back. I was fooling myself into thinking that if I agreed to meet him instead of waiting for him to find me, I was taking control back. “I was turning around but he had set up a spike strip.”

His hand squeezes mine. “I know, I know, it’s okay.” His other hand comes up to rest on my cheek, and I lean in to his touch.

“You saved my life, you know,” I whisper, and he tenses.

“No, no, I really didn’t. I should’ve done a better job protecting you. But I didn’t save your life, you saved your own life.”

His words make my stomach tighten. Deep down I never thought I’d be strong enough to do it on my own, never thought I’d find the strength to pull the trigger when it really mattered. “I used the necklace you gave me for Christmas. If I didn’t have that, I don’t think I would’ve been able to get out of there. Plus, you knew where I was; you got there before I lost too much blood.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Aiden’s voice is soft, his eyes shining with emotion. “I love you, Thea. You’re the strongest, most beautiful, and most badass person I know.”

I laugh at that. Even though I don’t particularly feel strong, beautiful, or badass, I know Aiden means every word. “I love you, too, Aiden.”

“Knock, knock,” comes a voice, and I’m shocked when Agent Dylan walks into my room. “How are you feeling?” he asks, setting a little stuffed teddy bear down on one of the counters beside a vase of pink lilies.

I shift, not knowing how exactly to feel at seeing him. On the one hand, he sent me here on purpose, to be near Annalisa, and he didn’t answer my calls. But on the other, he came through when I needed him. He answered Aiden’s call, and showed up when I needed him.

“I’ve been better, but I’ve been worse. You know, the usual.”

Aiden stands from the chair, giving my hand one last squeeze before letting it go. “I’ll be back a bit later, okay, Thea?”

I nod and he kisses me, quickly, chastely, and not for as long as I want.

Once he’s out of the room, Agent Dylan is at my side. He gestures to the chair Aiden just vacated. “May I?”

“Did you send me here as bait?” I blurt, skipping any pleasantries. The curiosity has been killing me. “Did you put me with Anna in case Tony sought her out and ran into me too? I know people have been putting pressure on you to find him after the last time he got away.”

Agent Dylan pauses, hovering over the seat, his eyebrow quirked, before slowly settling into the chair.

“That’s an interesting theory.”

“Is it true?”

Agent Dylan sighs. “You’re right that there was pressure on us to find him. But we didn’t put you here as bait. As we learned more about Tony, we found out about his daughter. We figured it would be easier to watch over the both of you if you were together. We don’t like using kids as bait for dangerous men like Tony or we would’ve done this a long time ago.”