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"You're lying in my bed wearing my shirt."

"Correlation is not causation."

I kiss her before she can continue.

It's supposed to be brief. It isn't. Her fingers catch the front of my shirt, and for a few seconds the fifty-seven million disappears. Petros disappears. The Crown disappears. There is only her mouth beneath mine and the quiet sound she makes when I slide my hand behind her neck.

I pull away first. Her eyes stay closed for half a second longer.

"Breakfast," I say.

She opens them. "Still not attractive."

"Liar."

"Criminal."

"Accountant."

Her mouth twitches. For one stupid moment, the world feels normal. Then I remember that somebody tried to kill her yesterday, and the feeling dies.

I'm in my office with Evander when my phone rings.

"Sir."

"What?"

"Ms. Markides is attempting to leave."

I look across the desk at Evander. His mouth immediately curves.

"Is she alone?"

"Yes, sir."

"Stop her."

The man hesitates. "We have."

"And?"

Another pause. "She would like to speak with you."

Evander covers his mouth, and I glare at him.

"Put her on."

There's a rustle, followed by Elena's voice. Calm. Too calm.

"Adrianos."

"Elena."

"There's a man downstairs who appears to believe I've been placed under house arrest."

"You're not under house arrest."

"Excellent. Tell him."