Her graduation.
Her ballet recitals.
Her gallery opening.
I reported it all. She never noticed me. She wasn’t supposed to. My job has always been silent protection.
Then fate dragged us back into the same world. After Charlotte escaped Russia and found Declan. That set off a chain of events in which the Russian mafia, led by Tatiana, turned on me for helping Charlotte. I nearly died in that barn, and I’d do it again. The Quinns saved my life, and destiny planted me here.
Which is Lily’s home, too.
And with Hallie married to Conan, keeping Lily safe became easier.
I swore to Lev I’d protect his daughter—a woman who is beautiful enough to crack my ribs open.
That is all this is. That is all it can ever be.
But, over the last five years, I’ve made some questionable choices. I’ve threatened men after they’ve taken her out on dates. I told myself it was to protect her, because these men can’t be trusted and don’t deserve her, any more than I do.
She’s better than any of us.
So I sit here, watching two blinking dots, wondering where the fuck I fit into any of this.
CHAPTER FIVE
Lily
Song: Unsteady - X Ambassadors
The room is buzzing, full of people admiring Claude’s work. He’s center stage, soaking up attention. I’m just glad his best piece is displayed on the right wall. I swirl my champagne and study the delicate silver lines.
My feet already ache. But I’m proud of this exhibition. It is one of my best.
“Lily!” Hallie squeals behind me before her arms wrap around me. “This is incredible.”
“Thank you.” I smile.
She runs a hand through her caramel hair. “Sorry, I had to get ready in super speed.”
“Mom life.” I wink.
I’ve never seen her happier than she is with Conan and their little boy. Speaking of, Conan appears behind her, arms crossed, eyes scanning the room like a predator.
“What’s up his ass?” I murmur.
“They’re all really jumpy right now. They’re after some cult. I don’t ask too much. I trust him.”
I nod, my pulse kicking up. Any talk of that life brings back memories. Warnings from my father that I’ll never forget: to trust my gut, if someone seems evil, they usually are.
“We’ve got some of their men here on security. We’re safe.”
The twins, Reggie and Rowan, are acting as bouncers at the door. Brick walls disguised as men. No one is getting past them.
The door swings again, and Bella beams as she approaches. She’s one of the best additions to my life.
“Lily, this is fucking cool.” Bella grabs two champagne glasses, downing one and keeping the other.
I finish off the rest of mine and set it down on the tall wooden table to my left.
