I wanted to fight, to rage against the idea of being controlled, protected, owned. But a larger part knew he was right. I couldn't do this alone.
"Okay," I whispered. "Let’s do this your way."
ROWAN
The relief that crashed through me was almost painful.
"First, we secure our place," I said. "Increased security. Guards if necessary. No one gets in or out without our knowledge."
"Second, we move Kira in with us," Kellan added. "She's not safe in that apartment anymore."
"Third, we start investigating. Figure out who's behind this and what they want." I pulled out my phone. "I have contacts. People who owe me favors. I'll call them in."
"And me?" Naomi asked. "What do I do?"
"You stay close to us. You don't go anywhere alone." I stopped, knowing she wasn't going to like what came next. "You let us protect you."
"For how long?"
"Until we've dealt with the threat."
"And if that takes weeks? Months? Years?" Her voice rose. "I have a life. I have plans. I was supposed to open the learning center in September."
"Which you can still do," I said. "Once we've made it safe and eliminated whoever this is."
"You can't promise that."
"No. But I can promise we'll do everything in our power to make it happen."
She looked at the destruction around us, work reduced to rubble and water damage.
"I don't know if I can do this all over again," she said quietly. "It took so long to get here."
"You can," Kellan said. "You're stronger than you think. This time you’ll have support."
"I don't feel strong." Her voice cracked. "I feel violated… terrified."
I moved to her, careful not to crowd but close enough that she could reach me if she wanted.
"Then be terrified," I said. "Feel whatever you need to feel. But don't run. Don't try to do this alone. Let us help you."
She looked up at me with those beautiful green eyes of hers, and I saw the war happening behind them. All of her emotions raging against one another.
"If I stay with you, I need something in return."
"Name it."
"I need the truth. No more secrets. No more holding back because you think I can't handle it." Her voice was firm despite the tears tracking down her face.
"Done," I said without hesitation.
"And," she swallowed. "I need time to figure out what this means for whatever this is between us."
"You can have all the time you need," Kellan assured her.
She nodded, then turned to Danny, who'd been standing silently through this entire exchange.
"Can it be fixed?" she asked. "The building?"
