He deepens the kiss, the vibrating rumble in his chest sinking into me.
I cling to him. His fingers. His shirt.
When we’re like this the rest of the world doesn’t matter.
There’s no looming threat. No potential danger.
There’s only me and him. Only protection and safety.
“We’ll finish this another day.” He diverts his mouth to my jaw. My neck.
I whimper as his lips brush the sensitive column of my throat. So soft. So sweet.
Then all too soon, he steps back.
That expression of pain still wrinkles his forehead. The swelling on his cheek has darkened.
I sweep my fingers along the damage and hold his gaze to gauge his reaction. “Does your head hurt as much as it did in Greece?”
“It’s just a headache. I’ll get over it.”
“Would you tell me if it was more?”
He smirks. “Would you overreact and panic?”
Probably.
Definitely.
He scoffs out another chuckle. “I promise I’ll tell you if there’s something to worry about.”
I nod, inching in to steal one last kiss. One last taste of clarity. I don’t want to let him go. I need a few more strengthening seconds.
“It’s okay, shorty. I’m not going far. You call and I’ll come running.”
“I’ll call and you’ll come stumbling.”
“Either way, I’ll still be there.” He sweeps his mouth over mine. Once. Twice. “I’ll find Robert and figure out what happened with Abi.”
The reminder siphons my warmth. “And what if your brother—”
“Forget my brother.” This time there’s a warning in his tone. “Nothing is going to come between us. Not while I’m still breathing.”
He makes for the door, each step of distance filling me with isolation. The loneliness only increases when he walks from view. There’s the rattle of a pill bottle, muttered conversation in the distance, then the click of a closing door from another room.
I’m left an outsider, forced to follow on silent footsteps to stop outside the now closed office as the meeting continues without me.
I rest against the wall and listen to my brother bark threats at Luca. One argument follows the next, strategy seeming to come in second place to the aggression born from my existence.
Luca fights for me. For my sisters. He makes demands about their protection, offers to pay for their security, and finally convinces Cole to contact Benji after the meeting to obtain Nina and Lilly’s whereabouts.
It doesn’t seem enough though.
Nothing does.
I want them here. Yet, that will never happen.
They’ve only kept me around because of Sebastian. I have a plausible reason for being in Portland, while my sisters are loose threads to tie Cole to his father’s crimes.
But I could prepare them. Warn them.
My pulse increases at the thought of reaching out. Then my confidence waivers.
I’d destroy any sense of happiness they had with the news. I’d steal their optimism for the future all because of an instinct. A hunch.
I slide to the floor, my legs bent before me, my elbows resting on my knees.
Do I have the right to ruin their freedom without proof? Because what if Luca is right? What if my thoughts are paranoia? If I’m losing my mind, I’ll take Lilly and Nina down with me.
Padded footsteps from the living area break my focus. I glance to my side and see Layla approach.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi.” Apprehension skitters along my arms. I know this lady least of all and yet she’s been the one looking after Tobias. “Am I breaking the rules by being here?”
“Not at all. Have they said anything interesting?” She moves closer to the office, cocking her head.
“I’m not really listening…” I lie. “I just didn’t want to stay in the bedroom and wasn’t sure where else to go.”
“That’s okay.” She smiles, kind and genuine. “If Cole was concerned about you snooping, I’d know about it. He also wouldn’t hold a meeting in a place where you could overhear. So don’t worry, because I’m not.” She holds out a hand for me to shake. “I’m Layla, by the way. Stella’s mom.”
I glance at the offering, unsure if I can take her hand. We both know she’s not just Stella’s mom.
“Yes, I’m also Cole’s sister and Luther’s eldest daughter.” Her arm falls to her side. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
I cringe and rest my head back against the wall, still unsure how to take apologies when they come from the blood of my tormentor. “You’re also Benji’s wife—am I right?”
She nods. “And Luca’s sister-in-law. I wear many hats.”
I drag my attention to the office door, wishing Luc was here with