12 Chapter 12

He threw in, aiming for flip surface-level deflection, hiding newfound deeper emotion, “Don’t tell me I needed to learn a lesson, I deserved what I got, everything other people’ll say. I know.”

“I won’t,” David said, calm with steel inside, “because you didn’t deserve it.”

“Oh,” Colin said again, disarmed by sincerity. “Um. Thanks. Again.”

“This house has good protection. It needs to, for some clients who come over. Even if he comes after you, we can keep you safe.”