Chapter 78. Don’t Let Her Get to You

Ava’s POV

The safe house walls moved in on me closer than any prison wall ever had. I curled up in the living room corner, arms around my knees, eyes looking out the window. There was nothing to see but quiet and trees, and I couldn’t stand to beat my own heart against me.

My mind drifted back to Claire.

To consider saying her name out loud made me ill.

She was my support when I had no one. I couldn’t help but recall all of those memories we had together, all of those meetings over coffee, the late evenings in strategy meetings, all the times she encouraged me. There’s no way a good friend can fake all that.

But she did anyway.

And I didn’t think I would be able to survive another night there if I didn’t talk to her. I needed to know why.

I stood up and walked over to the guard who was standing at the door. “I have to go down to the station. I have to speak with Claire.”

He shook his head again. “Sorry, Ms. Hayes. Mr. Anderson h