“Let’s take this into my office,” Daniil suggests.
They head down the hall without a glance in my direction and I decide to leave them to it. My presence obviously isn’t making a difference, so I go looking for Luna, who’s in the kitchen trying to microwave her lunch even though there are ladders and other construction related items everywhere.
“Hey.” She smiles. “What’s up?”
I shrug. “The boys are arguing about my safety.”
“He’s worried about you,” she says softly.
“I know, but he can’t stifle me. He can’t make decisions for me. Not the big stuff. That’s what my father tries to do and that won’t work long-term.”
“You guys have to talk about that stuff.”
“Isn’t the early part of a relationship supposed to be the honeymoon period?”
“Well, there might be extenuating circumstances in yours,” she says gently.
“I walked away from the overbearing man who raised me. I can’t spend my life with another one.”
“I think Grim is scared. You’re being targeted by a sex trafficking ring. I’d be scared if I was him.”
“That’s why I’m trying to be patient but it’s been almost a month. If putting me out there as a target is the only way to draw them out, then that’s what we have to do.”
“You should be in there with them,” she says softly. “This is your life. Don’t let them make those decisions for you. I love a strong, protective man, but you still have to stand up for yourself when it comes to the big things.”
And this is a very big one.
One of the most important.
It’s about so much more than just my safety.
This is about the future Landon and I may or may not have. The only way for us to move forward is to talk about everything. Sooner rather than later.
I squeeze Luna’s arm. “Thanks.”
I head down the hall to Daniil’s office and knock once before opening the door.
“Excuse me,” I say quietly. “Are you still discussing my situation?”
“Come in.” Daniil waves.
“I don’t mean to be rude, Daniil, but Landon and I need to talk about this privately first. Then we’ll come to you.”
Daniil looks surprised but nods. “Of course.”
Landon seems irritated but gets up and follows me back into the hallway.
“Can we please talk about this?” I ask quietly.
“I’m not putting you in danger on purpose,” he grunts, stopping in the middle of the hallway and folding his arms across his massive chest.
I smile because he looks so grumpy but also incredibly hot right now.
“Why are you smiling?” he demands.
“Because you’re hot when you’re grumpy.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
