Leo's gaze softened slightly. "He'll be busy tonight coordinating with his people. But he asked me to make sure you're safe."
Of course he did. Even now, when he should be focused on business, he was thinking about me.
"Come on," Elena said, linking her arm through mine. "At least we'll be together."
An hour later, I sat on Elena's couch in their apartment, which apparently qualified as a safe house given Jackson's security measures in place. My phone buzzed with a text from Eric.
Eric:Sorry I can't be there tonight. Tomorrow evening, I promise. Delegating what I can, but I need to be present for some operations.
My stomach twisted. Operations. Such a clinical word for what was probably going to be bloody and dangerous. A mass murder more likely. But sure, operations sounded better.
Be careful.
Three dots appeared, disappeared, then reappeared.
Always. Sleep well.
I didn't respond. What was there to say? "Please don't die while hunting down the people who tried to kidnap me"?
Besides, he didn't seem like the man who'd get killed easily.
As if that was a thing.
"I think hot chocolates are in order," Elena said, emerging from her bedroom in pajamas. "Something cozy."
"Sounds great." I watched as she got to work, noting the furrow in her brow.
Here I was worried about Eric out there, when Jackson was out there too.
I rose and joined her in the kitchen, helping her prepare the hot drinks and grabbing some chocolate from the fridge.
Comfort food at its finest.
"Eric texted," I said. "He'll be tied up with everything tonight but promised to see me tomorrow evening."
"Jackson said the same. He has to be there for some of it, even though Leo tried to keep him out of the worst parts." Elena's fingers tightened around one of the mugs. "I know what he's doing out there. What they're all doing. And I can't even ask him to stop because I know why it's necessary."
I thought about the men by the river, how they'd grabbed me without hesitation. How they would've taken me somewhere, hurt me, probably killed me if it served their purpose.
"They would've done worse to us," I said quietly. "And you know what's really twisted? I was in danger without even being with Eric. Like, actively avoiding him didn't protect me at all."
"I know." Elena leaned her head against my shoulder. "Doesn't make it easier though."
We moved to the couch, putting on some movie that was only going to act as background noise ultimately.
She settled beside me, pulling a blanket over both our laps. "I hate this, though. The waiting. Not knowing what's happening out there."
"I know." I was dreading the call that would declare someone hurt or dead. "But I keep thinking, what was the point of keepingmy distance? His feelings for me were apparently enough to paint a target on my back anyway."
Elena turned to study my face. "So what does that mean for you two?"
I stared at the TV. "I don't know. I mean, the danger excuse is kind of shot to hell now, isn't it? I'm already in it whether I want to be or not."
"And he did save you," Elena pointed out gently.
"Yeah." I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "My very own knight in shining armor. Well, more like knight in expensive suit covered in other people's blood, but close enough."
But Elena just pursed her lips. There was a truth to my joke.
