---- Chapter 17 Amira Osborne POV: | looked at him, at the pathetic hope in his bloodshot eyes, and felt a profound sense of exhaustion. | was so tired of this game. | let out a long, weary sigh. "Fine, Carter. You want to talk? We 'Il talk. But not here, and not now." His face lit up, a drowning man seeing a lighthouse. "The day after tomorrow," | said, my voice flat. "Be here. 8 a.m. sharp. We can finally clear the air." | made my tone sound reluctant, as if | were giving in. As if this was his last chance. "Can we make it the day after that?" he pleaded, a hint of his old vanity showing through the grime. "l want to... clean myself up. For you." A cold, humorless smile touched my lips. "One time offer. 8 a.m. The day after tomorrow. You miss it, and you will never see or hear from me again." | turned and walked out of the bar without a backward glance. He stood there, beaming, basking in the glow of a promise | had no intention of keeping. ---- Our flight back to the States was scheduled for the next morning.