The pain in his words made the back of my eyes burn. I reached out, pulling him into a hug. “It’s okay. You just have bad taste in men. My sister does too.”
Connor’s shoulders stiffened under my touch as he lifted his head to stare at me. “You’re saying this is a family trait.”
“Weelll,” I dragged out the word.
Connor’s laugh sounded genuine as he cupped my face and tilted it to place a kiss on my forehead. “I’m glad you’re the one who saved me.”
“Don’t let it go to your head—but me too.”
I didn’t struggle as Connor enveloped me in a hug, pressing his cheek on top of my head.
I listened to the beat of his heart, the rhythm much slower than a human’s.
“Does this mean your taste in men is also bad? Does my uncle know?” Connor asked after a moment.
I froze for a moment before bursting out with laughter. “Only time will tell, but let’s not tell him we had this discussion.”
Connor made a wordless sound of agreement, watching as I pushed to standing.
“What do you say we check out this house Thomas got us?” I asked, tilting my head at the door.
Connor pointed at a set of bags in the corner. “I’ve already packed.”
Someone was certainly eager.
“Give me twenty and I’ll be ready,” I told him, heading for the bedroom.
Connor turned the TV show back on. “Take your time.”
“You know we’re not keeping the house, right?” I called over my shoulder.
“We’ll see.”
Not if I could help it.
Deborah was waiting for us at the front door as we descended the stairs, her gaze expectant.
“How long have you been here?” I asked, setting my two suitcases next to her.
I didn’t have much since most of my belongings burned in the apartment fire. What I did have were gifts courtesy of Thomas’s underlings. At his orders, they’d restocked my wardrobe with far more outfits than I’d ever need.
I’d packed only a few basics along with some hygiene products in preparation for this move.
“Since sunset,” Deborah confessed. “I wasn’t sure what time you planned to leave and I didn’t have your number.”
“You could have knocked on my door,” I said.
“I didn’t want to impose.”
She’d get over that. She’d have to if she wanted to stay by my side for any length of time. People in my orbit usually didn’t last long if they continued to stand on ceremony.
“Where’s your luggage?” I asked, scanning the foyer.
“Outside.”
Alrighty, then.
I shouldered my bag and headed for the front door. “Let’s get moving.”
