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"Ryan, I' me to see the truth about hter sounded harsh and gritty to his own ears

"Could she have s up?" Zoe asked of Faith

"Don't try to protect s now," he said wryly

"It's possible, isn't it? Faiththrown out of the house and left these notes, hoping your parents would find them when they found her"

He shook his head "These soundI've heard in quite a while"

He was beyond angry that his uncle would betray his sister He was even norance over the years Faith had left a thorough diary of her experiences and Uncle Russ's role in her running away In fact, if his sister's words were to be believed, and Ryan did believe her, his uncle had every reason to want to get his hands on the keys He'd want to see what Faith had left behind, if for no other reason than to cover his own ass

"What's next?" Zoe asked

"It's time I pay a visit to Uncle Russ"

She nodded "Feel free to drophow much she disliked his family and their home, her offer meant a lot "Actually since this revelation is a result of your persistence, you deserve a front-row seat at the confrontation"

"I never wanted to find anything incri," she said, her eyes huge, her voice i

"But you aren't surprised"

She shook her head

He rose and extended a hand, pulling her to her feet They started for the stairs when suddenly he turned and she burabbed her around the waist to steady her, then lowered his head and kissed her hard Though he'd taken her by surprise, she responded Her tongue tangled with his and as he pulled her closer, a soft moan escaped the back of her throat

He'd needed this, needed her and the reassurance of soood and trustworthy in his life and she see his mouth first one way, then another, theirsecond

Slowly he pulled back with i shot, but he had gotten the fortification he needed for what lay ahead

"What was that for?" she asked, her tongue dragging over her lower lip, taking in theand I needed sustenance"

She laughed "That's a unique excuse"