“And then,” Elle whispers, nodding, as if that’s enough for now.
It’s like she’s saying,The future will take care of itself.
I can only pray she’s right.
I kneel in front of Mira as we say goodbye, offering her a smile. “I’m very proud of you for being so brave and staying here for the evening.”
She looks down nervously, then mutters, “Thuh-thanks.”
Behind me, I hear Elle suck in a breath. It’s the first thing Mira has said since the mess at the house. Mira throws herself into my arms, tightening her grip around me.
“You’re welcome,” I say, shocked and touched. I give her a squeeze.
In the car, Elle looks in the rearview as I drive down the street. I take the winding route on the way home, deserted roads to make sure that we’re completely alone.
When we get back to my cabin, I slow down and scan the trees as I drive. Lucian isn’t going to be able to get close to my property because of the sensors and the cameras, but I can’t cover the whole forest.
“See that?” I murmur.
“What?”
“Look up on the hill there, where the trees get thicker? See that glint of light? Don’t make it too obvious when you look.”
Elle subtly tilts her head, then sucks in a gasp. “Yeah, I see it,” she says.
“Binoculars,” I tell her. “He’s probably been waiting for a long time.”
“Why don’t we just go up there right now and…” She looks at me bleakly. I know what she’s saying, obviously. Kill him. End him. Do what I do.
“It might not be him personally,” I tell her. “It might be one of his men. Also, there’s no way to get there without tipping him off. He’s positioned himself well.”
She nods. “So, we stick to the plan.”
I swallow, thinking about the implications. The price she’s going to pay. “We stick to the plan.”
She touches my arm. “I’m not some kid, Rhett.”
“I never said you were.”
“Ever since you agreed to do this, you look at me like I might break. I can do this.”
“I believe you,” I tell her. “And that’s what I’m afraid of.”
“What, do you want me all innocent and forgiving?”
“I want you safe,” I tell her. “Physically. Mentally. Safe.”
“That isn’t your choice to make.”
She’s wrong. Ever since she re-entered my world, she’s felt like mine to watch, mine to shelter, mine to protect. But I know she’s too strong-willed for me to come out and say that.
And if we separate this from all the madness, it hasn’t been long enough for me to make declarations like that.
I force a smirk onto my face. “Anyway, enough of that depressing shit. Are you excited for the date, girlfriend?”
Every time she laughs, it affirms I’ll never grow tired of hearing that noise. “Oh, boyfriend. I can’t wait.”
CHAPTER 22
