dbereadytofindoutwhathewasmostdefinitelyhiding.

harryouldn’tbelieveit.ronwasgoingtokillhim.he’dsomehowmanagedtosrewuphisfirsteverassig.eightmonths,eightbloodymonths,ompletelywasted.ashewalkedbaktotravertel,heallowedhimselfonesmallbeaonofhope.maybehe’dbeabletosalvagesomething.maybetherewasstihane,anotherangle,anotherjob—

theehoesofhisoionwithvalentinemadehimringe.

“theythinkit’soedtosomethingbigger,”thehotelmanagerwhisperedastheywathediigatorszahaandstramitzleave.

harryblinked,unsurewhatheshouldorshouldn’tsay.hewasstillquestioninghisdeisiontomaintainhisoverdespitehisinstints—internallysreamingheneededtodosomething.buttherewasalsoasuspiioninhisgutthattoldhimthatwhathappenedinthepenthousehadnothingtodowithhisase.therewasalsothesenefromthefourteenthfloorwhihstillhadhimreeling.“like…riminals?”

valentinesrunhedhisfaeandgaveaslightshakeofhishead.“no.say…whileyouwereinthere,didyouseeanytypeofanimal?”

“animal?”tobeho,harrywasn’tsureofanythingthathesaw.theywalkedtotheemployeelokerroomandstopped.“likeadog?”harryblurted.thenherememberedthekneazle.beforeheouldsayanything,valentinehadraisedhishand.

“no,notadog.”valentinestudiedharryandthenabruptlyadded,“also,you’refired.”

“what?”harryburst.“why?”

valentinebeganwalkingbaktohisoffie,andharryfollowed.“you’rejusttooinvolvedinthis,”theoldermanreplied.

“iwasjustdoingmyjob!”harrysaid,tryingnottoraisehisvoie.