“Don’t say that too loud. I don’t need people to think I’m kind,” Lex whispers. “I need people to fear me.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure most people do fear you. Just not me.”
“Good.”
Chapter Seventeen
Addison’s been asleep for about thirty minutes. I’ve been sitting here watching her like a fucking creeper. But I can’t not stare. She’s beautiful, and right now, she looks peaceful, free. Like the Addison I used to know.
I know what happened to her has changed her from a free spirit, to someone who is always looking over her shoulder. I didn’t know she wasn’t sleeping, though. I’m a fucking idiot. I should have known. I don’t think I’m ever going to be enough for her. I can’t even tell she needs to fucking sleep.
I pull my phone out and send my dad a message.
Me:
How long are we staying here?
Pakhan:
You got somewhere else to be?
Me:
Addison isn’t sleeping. All the men around this house make her anxious. I’m booking a suite at the Four Seasons. She can’t stay in this house.
Pakhan:
You’re still going to need security. We leave next Sunday.
Me:
Okay.
Pakhan:
Where are you now?
Me:
Her room. She’s asleep now.
Pakhan:
Don’t fuck it up again, Lex. Give her whatever she needs.
I roll my eyes. I don’t get why my dad is so fixated on my girlfriend. I pause. Addison isn’t my girlfriend. Best friend, sure. But girlfriend? We haven’t had that talk. Maybe we need to.
I also don’t need to be told not to fuck up. I have no plans of living without Addison in my life again. I have her back. Even if she’s not the same, she’s still my Addison.
After booking the nicest suite at the Four Seasons, I look up things to do in this city. I’ve been to Melbourne plenty of times to see my sister Zoe, but I’ve never really played tourist. It might be good for Addison to get out and see the sights, though.
Three hours later, Addison rolls over. Her eyes slowly blink open and focus on me. “Hey.”
“Hold that thought,” I tell her, jumping off the bed and running into the adjoining bathroom. I’ve been ignoring the fact I needed to relieve myself because I didn’t want to move.
Flushing the toilet and then washing my hands, I then walk back out to find Addison sitting on the bed.
“Sorry. I was waiting for you to wake up so I could go to the bathroom.”
