“So are you.” His gaze slides deliberately down my body, lingering where water beads against my bikini.
I cross my arms, pulling my knees to my chest, but not before I catch the curl of his smirk.
I can’t even try to control the fluttering in my chest.
“Describe her, weirdo.” It comes out too high, too quick, trying to erase the heat crawling up my neck.
“She’s got long curly brown hair, streaks of blonde in it. Nice figure. Bubbly. Talks too much.”
I can’t stop smiling. “I love her already.”
“You haven’t even met her,” he mutters, shaking his head.
“Yeah, but she’s hot and fun,” I shrug like it’s obvious. “I can tell.”
Elijah rolls his eyes. “You’re just desperate to stop gawking at TV actresses and actually talk to a real girl.”
“Well, yeah.” I tilt back toward the sun, letting it blind me, and hide my smile.
“Normal girls just sneak out to clubs,” Elijah says.
“You wanna help me sneak out?” I shoot back, but my voice dips lower, playful.
Silence.
He doesn’t lecture me. Doesn’t say I’d get myself killed. He doesn’t say anything at all.
I adjust my posture, glancing sideways.
He’s smirking. Head bowed, watching his hands, and I question if they’ve suddenly become fascinating. But the corners of his mouth twitch, betraying the truth.
The realization hits me so hard I stumble to my feet.
“Oh my god.”
Chapter 7
Elijah
Present
“Are you fucking serious, Elijah? It’s been twenty-four hours.”
“I can’t watch her like this. You know I can’t,” I say, pacing Enzo’s massive vintage-modern bedroom.
“She doesn’t even fucking like you anymore.” Enzo throws his arm out, hitting it against my shoulder. “And yes, I know she wants your attention, but it’s not like she acts the way she used to.”
“It’s too hard to be around her, and I need to be replaced. End of discussion.” I push off him, strengthening my stance.
“You’re funny, Elijah. Let me remind you—you don’t make decisions here, and neither do I.” He shakes his head with an obvious nod. “Dante said you need to watch Ace, so guess what you’re going to do?”
“Fucking watch Ace,” we say in unison.
I throw myself back, because he’s right. He has Ace’s brain without the emotions she does, and although it’s exhausting, it’s the reminder I need. I have to do as Dante decides, and rightnow, he’s decided that I need to watch the daughter he never loved.
Twenty-four hours into my time spent with her, and it’s already unbearable. Enzo is making me watch her tighter than her own guard dog.
“Elijah.” Enzo grabs my head with both hands, pulling me upright to face him. “Do you love her?”
