“Oh.”
“Between my gramps and me, we’ll get it all sorted.”
As I look into his eyes, I believe every word he’s saying. There’s a sincerity there that I never saw when I looked at Lucas.
“I can’t believe this,” I say, dropping my head forward and taking a deep breath.
Years. It’s been years, and Lucas is somehow still finding a way to screw up my life. The ridiculousness of it all is almost laughable. Almost.
Brax squeezes my hands. “Hey.”
I lift my head, bringing my tear-rimmed eyes back to his gentle face.
“I promise it’ll be fine. This is Lucas’s problem and not yours. I’ll protect you.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I’m staying here tonight.”
“I want you to stay until I have a chance to talk to Malakai.”
“What?” I seem to be saying that word a lot, but it’s all still so unbelievable to me.
“You can’t go home until it’s safe.”
My stomach rolls at that word.
Safe.
I’m not safe. Or at least, I wouldn’t be if I were home tonight.
What would I have done if Lucas had called whileI was home alone and dropped this bomb on me? I would’ve absolutely lost my mind.
“How long will that be?” I ask him.
“Hopefully I can get my gramps to track him down tomorrow. A day or two.”
I glance around the beautiful loft, which doesn’t feel as warm as it did before.
“But I…” The words die in my throat. I don’t know what I was going to say. My mind is moving a million miles a minute, and processing isn’t going so well.
Brax gently tugs my arms, making the rest of me move. As soon as I’m closer, he snakes his arms underneath my legs and pulls me into his lap like I weigh nothing.
I snuggle into him, resting my cheek against his chest.
“You’re safe,” he repeats.
Wrapped in his arms with his chin resting on the top of my head, I feel safe. I’m enveloped by him and the warmth of his body. Despite the fact that there’s someone out there who’s looking for me, I feel oddly at peace on his lap.
“For now,” I whisper, closing my eyes.
If Malakai doesn’t kill Lucas, I may for putting me through this after a handful of years of being apart.
“You have my family’s protection now,” Brax says quietly as he slides his hand against my back.
I suddenly feel as if I’ve walked onto the set of anold mafia movie even though I never auditioned for the part.
“I’m sorry.”
Brax pulls back slightly until our gazes lock. “For what?”
