She needed quiet.
I typed back:
No police. Not right now. I will explain everything. I promise.
The three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Finally:
Okay. Please call.
The trust in that sentence nearly broke me.
Kane nodded.
Ellsworth reappeared at the doorway like nothing in the world surprised him.
“I’ll see to things here,” he said mildly.
See to things.
Like there wasn’t a dead man on the bedroom floor.
I stared at him, still trying to reconcile the polite, tailored British man with the fact that he had walked into that room and ended it in two silent breaths.
“Thank you,” I managed.
He inclined his head slightly.
“Get the child somewhere warm.”
The rain had softened to a mist outside, but the air still felt thick and electric as we descended the stairs.
This time, I didn’t notice the hallway. Didn’t notice the smell of old stone. Didn’t notice the way the lights flickered slightly.
I only felt Sabine’s weight in my arms.
Kane walked close—close enough that I could feel the heat of him without him actually touching me.
Protective.
Alert.
The SUV door opened before we reached it. The driver stepped out, scanning the street.
We climbed in quickly, Kane sliding in beside me while Sabine curled into my lap like she belonged there.
The engine started immediately.
Two additional vehicles pulled into position behind us.
Security.
Layers.
Protection.
As we pulled away from Rose’s building, my entire body sagged with delayed reaction.
