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“Not a word.”

“And he still married her?”

“He worships the ground she walks on.”

I shook my head, still smiling.

“As for Lacey, there’s more mischief packed into that tiny woman than should be physically possible. Trust me, you’re not going to be the strange one.”

That made me laugh harder.

“They’ll love you. More importantly, neither of them will judge you for not knowing things yet. They’ve both had their lives turned upside down by the underworld in their own ways.”

Some of the tightness in my chest eased.

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am.”

His certainty was ridiculous—and comforting.

“Thank you, Lachlan.”

“For what?”

I snuggled closer and gave him a gentle squeeze.

“Distracting me.”

His hand moved slowly over my back.

“Anytime.”

“I really needed it.”

“I noticed.”

I gave a small tug to the hair on his chest.

He caught my hand and kissed my fingers.

“Now sleep. We’ve still got hours before Teterboro, and you’re exhausted.”

I settled my cheek over his heart.

“That actually sounds wonderful.”

His fingertips began drawing lazy patterns across my back. I tried to follow their path—a circle, then another slow sweep—but by the third, I had stopped trying.

The last thing I remembered was the steady beat of Lachlan’s heart beneath my cheek and his hand moving gently over my skin.

Chapter thirty-two

Isabella was dead asleep by the time I slipped out from beneath her.

Somehow, I managed it without waking her.

I pulled a blanket over her and stood beside the bed for a moment, watching the slow rise and fall of her breathing. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, and the lines of worry that had been carved into her face since bullets started flying in the compound had finally disappeared.