“If anyone can, it’s you.” She pressed her lips together, and for a moment, guilt flashed across her face. “I shouldn’t leave him.”
“He’ll understand,” I said gently. “He knows how hard you’ve had it. And I think he’ll be glad at least one of you got to be free.”
Amanda nodded, a jerky gesture that didn’t look natural. “He’s my best friend, and he’s the only real family I have left. So please, just—make sure he’s okay.”
“I will,” I promised. “No matter what. But, Amanda—” I paused. “I know you’ve never liked me, but you and I are cousins, too. You’ll always have me. And your mom loves you. And Knox. You have more people in your life than you realize, and once this war’s over, we’ll get to be a normal family. No backstabbing or plotting or murders. Just family.”
She shook her head with
