Page 8 of Let Me Love You

I’m not sure if my dad is exaggerating, but I can’t take the chance. This is exactly how my grandfather passed away. After his heart attack, during his recovery, there was a complication, and then he was gone.

There’s a possibility these could be his last words, and I have to grant him his wish.

Chapter 4

Serenity

Iplace Summer’s favorite storybook on the bedside table and pull up the comforter, tucking her into the queen bed we’re sharing at Sully’s house. I kiss her forehead, lingering for an extra second—more for myself after everything that has happened.

Normally my lack of trust in men would extend to a man later in life like Sully, but he proved himself to me when he went to my sister’s rescue with Elias and Victor.

Even just thinking that man’s name has me grinding my molars. Victor was the reason Harmony was in trouble, so his help wasn’t out of a selfless act like the others. I can’t believe he showed up to Harmony’s birthday party like they’re actually friends. My sister befriends anyone she deems abandoned, and even though she’d never admit it, I’m sure her offer of friendship was out of pity.

I sigh, unable to lie to myself. Even though I can’t stand him, I have to admit Harmony’s friendship with him is probably pure.

I shove him away from my mind—he’d never been in a situation like this since he has more money than any one person needs—and glance down at Summer.

She’s my whole heart. My entire reason for breathing. And yet, I still wish she’d sleep in one of the other three extra bedrooms so my ribs don’t ache every morning after she goes all karate kid on me while asleep. Does that make me a bad mom?

“I love you.” I press my lips to her forehead for a second time. “Forever and ever.”

“I love you too, Mommy,” Summer says through a yawn. She snuggles into her favorite stuffed animal, Bluey, from the television show. “When can we go home?”

“Soon,” I say, and my stomach twists at the lie that slips easily off my tongue. I can’t break it to her that it’s unsafe. “Don’t worry. Grandpa Sully is so happy we’re here.”

Sully is Harmony’s father, not mine, but Summer uttered the name the first time she met him, and it stuck. And I’ve never seen the retired soldier smile so big.

“Do you think he’ll make pancakes for breakfast again?”

I ruffle my fingers through her wild, red ringlets. “If you ask politely.”

I stand and head to the door. Turning off the light, I whisper a goodnight before finding my way downstairs. My chest tightens as I enter the living room. I stand still, staring at the black TV screen.

I scratch at my suddenly itchy arms. It almost feels like a hundred ants are crawling all over my skin.

I can move and run away like a chicken, but I can’t take her out of her daycare or else I’ll lose my job and only source of income. Paul’s parents retired in Florida, so they can’t watch Summer. And Sully is already doing enough by letting us move in, I can’t ask him.

Or can I? If her life is really in danger, he would watch her. I’m certain. His insistence on helping annoyed me at first, but now, it will help loosen the vice grip on my chest.

“Is everything okay?” Sully asks, and I jump back.

My heart pounds wildly as I glance over at him. The resemblance between him and Harmony is uncanny. I never put two and two together until my mother told me right before her death that he’s my sister’s father. They share the same light brown hair and copper eyes, except now his hair has gray sprinkled in.

“Yes, sorry, I was just thinking.”

He nods as he walks over to the leather couch and sits down. He picks up the remote but doesn’t turn on the television. “I understand you’re scared right now, but you don’t have to worry. I was in the military for fifteen years and then made my living protecting people. I may be retired, but you two are safe here.”

I don’t want to correct him, so I bite my tongue. “Thank you.” Maybe now is the time to bring up the daycare situation. Before I can lose my nerve, I spit out the question. “Can you watch Summer for me while everything is going on?”

I’ll lose the money I already paid the daycare, but it’s worth it for her safety.

Sully’s eyes narrow in on me. “Yes. I thought that was going to happen. Summer is going nowhere near any of the places those people took pictures of her.”

A fifty-pound weight lifts off my chest. “Thank you,” I breathe out.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and every muscle in my body locks up. The loan sharks haven’t called or sent any text messages. No, they’re a lot more effective than that. But there’s always a first time for everything.

When I pull my phone out, I inhale a sharp breath.