“Stop,” I growl, and sit on the bed next to him.Thankfully, I have my summer blanket on, because if I have to share a bed with a thick blanket, I’ll die of heat stroke lying next to him.His blood runs hot.
“So, want to watch a movie?”
“The television is downstairs and you were dead set about coming up here.”
He stops stroking Hunter’s fur.“You don’t have a television?”
“Yes, Reid, it’s downstairs.You’ve seen it.Watched a movie on it.”
“But not in here?”
“It’s a bedroom,” I reply.“Jesus.What is your issue?”
“It just seems weird that you don’t have one.”
“I read a lot,” I reply, feeling my cheeks heat because I don’t want him to ask me what I read.“And I like watching television downstairs.A bedroom is to sleep.”
“And fuck.”
I snort, relaxing.“And fuck.”
“I love it when you say fuck,” he huskily replies, and I glance down, seeing he’s got a fucking semi.
Jesus Christ.
“I will kick you out.Unlike Malia, I don’t care if you crash your truck,” I lie.
“Liar,” he teases, then loses his smirk.“How are you doing?Really?”
He’s talking about the spectacle on the news earlier.I’m assuming since he rushed over here, he’s only just seen it.I’ve already had time to process since I watched it live.Mum had phoned me asking why the business I worked for was in the news.At first, I thought she was talking about the raid, but then she asked me if knew what the conference was that was about to happen.I froze for a minute before rushing to the television to put on the news.I had to watch a man, who I have never met or spoken with, badmouth me, threaten me, and name-drop me.I heard my mum’s intake of breath, the explicit curses spewing from my dad’s mouth as we continued to watch.I couldn’t tell them everything.I don’t think they’d forgive me for keeping the explosion from them.They would be so hurt because I’ve always told them everything.I did tell them about today, skipping that it had been Milly who had nearly been hit by the car, and mentioned the Black family being up to some real shady shit.
Despite knowing I’ve done nothing wrong, my stomach still twists because it would be easy for a family like that to plant stuff on someone like me.Isn’t that how it always goes with rich people and their embedded privilege and entitlement?
I lie down on the pillow, my heart warming at the genuine concern in his eyes as he watches me.“Can I tell you a secret?”I whisper, keeping my voice low.
He turns to his side, facing me, and at first, I swear I see a flash of vulnerability and wariness, which is crazy because he’s the most confident man I’ve ever met.“Yeah,” he hoarsely replies.
“I’m scared,” I reply quietly, unable to look at him.He clutches my hand, bringing it up between us.
“We’ve got you,” he assures me.“If you have your laptop, Liam can make sure nothing is planted on there.I’m assuming you still have it.”
I nod.“I do.But it already has fantastic software.I’ve been thinking about handing it to Beau, at the police station.But I’m worried.The Black family pulled off a press release like they are the Prime Minister tonight.I don’t want to take any chances by just handing over the one thing that I have that can prove I’m innocent.It’s not as if the laptop is the only thing they can use to hurt me either, so I’m scared.”
“I won’t let them hurt you,” he promises softly.“After tonight, I’m pretty positive you can take care of yourself.”
I shake my head slightly, closing my eyes for a brief second.“I’m not worried about them physically hurting me.I’m worried about the financial damage they can cause.Paying court fees and solicitors will cost a fortune in itself.Then there’s the strain it will put on everyone.My dad...his heart isn’t what it used to be, Reid.We’ve nearly lost him before.He loves me, and he will do everything to help me.I’m afraid the stress could kill him.I can’t lose him.He’s one of my favourite people.It will break my mum.And I’d never be able to forgive myself.I’m already blaming myself now.He has messaged me a few times already and I know he’s going to work himself up over me.I hate them, Reid.I hate that their actions affect so many people.People I care about and love.”
Reid clears his throat and pulls me into his arms.The stress from today has caught up to me, which is why I don’t push him away.Or at least, that’s what I tell myself.
“We won’t let that happen,” he swears, and presses his lips to my temple.
I close my eyes, basking in the comfort of his arms.
I never want him to let go.
This is dangerous.
Very dangerous.
