“No, you shouldn’t. Now, get lost.” I sniff.
“You know I can’t do that.”
I squeeze my eyes closed as hard as I can. So that’s what this is. He isn’t staying because he feels bad. He’s staying because he has to. Because it’s his job.
“I’ll come out and bolt the door after you. Just go away.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I let go of my necklace and wipe my cheeks. He’s so goddamn stubborn.
“Go and sleep in the hallway again then. I don’t want you near me.”
I stare at the door when there’s no answer. Maybe he’s gone. I stand and walk over to it, clutching Monty to my chest as I reach for the handle.
“I am sorry. And I’ll leave as soon as you open the door, I promise.”
His soft words fall against the wood and seep underneath the door.
“I need to know you’re okay. I can’t leave until I can see you’re okay. Please, Sinclair. You’re… I… Just open the door,please.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat as I slowly open the door.
Denver’s shining eyes are waiting to meet mine. He studies me, his eyes pinching at the tear tracks skating down my cheeks.
“I’m so sorry. I justneedyou to be safe.” He scrubs a hand around his jaw with a rough curse. “God, if anything were to happen to you, I…”
We stare at one another, and something shifts in my chest at the sheer devastation on his face.
“If you want Killian or Jenson instead, I’ll understand. I’ll speak to your father.” A muscle in his cheek pulls tight.
“No.”
My breath catches at the flare of hope in his eyes.
“I don’t want someone else… It might…” I search for a reason to give him. “… it might be confusing to Monty.”
He nods.
“But that hurt,” I whisper, my voice shaking.
The realization settles in my gut like a lead weight. He’s supposed to protect me. Yet he’s just cut me deeper than any of those stupid notes that were left on my car.
He moves closer and hesitates before he places both of his hands on my upper arms.
“Sinclair?”
I sniff and look down at Monty.
“Look at me.”
But I can’t because I’m afraid my tears will start all over again. I shake my head.
“Youhurt me,” I whisper.
The heaviness in his exhale runs through my entire body, so when his strong arms tentatively slide around me, I sink into them.
He pulls Monty and me against his solid chest, and I press my cheek over his heart, listening to its deep pulse. And despite what’s just happened, I close my eyes as he holds me in the safest embrace I’ve ever been inside in my life.
