Save her from me.
After they hug and Lily disappears inside my house, I finally step forward.
“You good, boy?” Lev asks.
“Yeah. Tired. Need some sleep.”
He laughs and slaps my shoulder. “You do look fucked.”
“Thanks, old man. I needed to hear that out loud.” I try to lighten my tone, but it doesn’t work.
I’m miserable.
“Coffee?” He asks.
“Something much fucking stronger.”
“For breakfast?” He says, warily.
“I don’t give a fuck what time it is.”
I blow out a breath, slamming my palm onto the wall to hold myself up. I just need a minute.
He sighs but heads for the kitchen anyway. While I make the dreaded climb up the stairs with Lily’s bag.
I knock softly on Lily’s door before pushing it open.
“Shall I just leave this here?”
She spins around, worry already etched into her face. “I can’t find my necklace.”
I lean against the doorframe, grounding myself. “I have it. It’s safe. Don’t worry.”
“What?”
I suppose now is a good time to tell her the truth; perhaps it will ensure she keeps me as her bodyguard. I don’t want to scare her, but there is a level of protection in being aware of the risks.
“There’s someone after that necklace. Someone really fucking evil. So for your safety, I’ve got it locked away. Once the issue has been dealt with, I’ll return it. It’s in the panic room. I need to show you anyway. Can we do that later?”
She drags a hand through her hair, frustration written all over her. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“To keep you safe.”
“Right…” She hesitates. “I suppose most things you do is to keep me safe, hmm?”
I could lie. I could explain Tatiana. I won’t. “Yes. Everything I do has a purpose. And that is keeping you safe.” I close the door before she can ask anything else.
Downstairs, Lev is burning eggs. I don’t have the energy to care. I grab the vodka and drink straight from the bottle.
“I need to go to Declan’s. You stay here with Lily.”
“Do you have good news?”
“I have news. When is there ever anything good?”
Lily comes down already changed. Leggings. Sports bra.
Fuck.
