“Because” I say calmly, ignoring her protests, “then I’d have to kill you, Little Dove.”
She falls asleep somewhere between the coast road and the turn-off to the villa.
I notice when the anger drains out of her body, when her spine softens, when her head tips toward the window and her breathing evens out. She curls in on herself instinctively, kneesdrawn up, turning her back to me like she hates me even in sleep.
I want to pull her against me, feel the warmth of her, reassure myself she’s still here, but she’s made her boundary painfully clear tonight. So, I sit there, jaw tight, watching the reflection of her face in the glass.
Anthony says nothing, but his eyes keep flicking to me in the reflection of the mirror, like he wants to.
When we reach the villa, Anthony cuts the engine and gets out without a word. He doesn’t offer to help take her inside. He knows better.
I open Leoni’s door quietly. Carefully, I slide one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her into my chest. She sighs softly but doesn’t wake, her face pressing into my shoulder like she belongs there.
I carry her inside, through the cool stone corridors, up the stairs, and into the bedroom. I lower her onto the bed slowly, easing her shoes off, pulling the cover over her. She shifts, frowning slightly.
I straighten, turning away to strip off my jacket, then my shirt, planning to lie beside her without touching, without crowding. Just close enough to know she’s breathing. But when the mattress dips under my weight, her eyes flutter open.
“No,” she murmurs immediately, shaking her head. “You’re not staying in here.”
“I won’t touch you,” I say quietly.
She pushes herself up just enough to meet my gaze. Her eyes are glassy with sleep and hurt. “I said no.”
I nod once. Because I understand. And because this is the consequence of dragging her here thinking she’d be safer with me, than back home.
I pull my shirt back on, step away from the bed, and grab a blanket from the chair.
She watches me with heavy-lidded eyes until I reach the door.
“Get some sleep,” I say. She turns away again, curling back into herself.
Chapter Seventeen
LEONI
The second the morning light hits me through the slats in the blind, I’m awake. I throw the covers off and grab my bag, throwing everything inside. I pull on last night’s dress, forgoing underwear, and quickly brush my teeth. Then I book an Uber to the airport. There’s a flight at ten A.M., and I’m praying it’s not full.
As I go downstairs, I run my fingers through my hair, hoping I look half-decent.
Anthony is standing in the living room, staring down at his mobile, engrossed. He glances up, his eyes widening when he sees me. “Good morning.”
And then Warren appears, as if his voice summoned him from the kitchen. His eyes drop to my bag. “I’ve made breakfast,” he announces.
“My flight leaves at ten,” I mutter, heading for the door.
“Flight?” he repeats, following me.
I stop on the porch, staring down the road for the Uber, my heart beating wildly. “Yes, you know, those huge metal flying objects in the sky,” I say, my words laced with sarcasm. “It’s how I’m getting home.”
“Lee, I have a plane leaving at half ten.”
“I don’t want to fly with you. Christ, I can’t even stand to look at you.”
He gives an unamused laugh. “You’re pissed; I get it. But flying alone is stupid when I’m offering a free flight half an hour later than the one you’re trying to catch. And a cab from here will cost a fortune.”
I arch a brow. “I’m not paying, I charged it to the business account.”
He smirks, “Course you did.” Then he sighs heavily. “Fly back with me. I promise I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.”
