Page 21 of Merciless King

When I finished, Van ran through my new security system with me, giving me codes and explaining everything that Cage had installed.

It was a lot more than I’d expected. “This seems expensive.” I chewed on my lip. “I’m not sure I can afford all this. I wish you’d checked with me—”

“Cage owed me one.” Van’s eyes dropped to my mouth then slid back up. “Don’t worry about it.”

I realized I was standing close to him, and, yes, my belly was all whooshy and squirmy, but I was…okay. I was still nervous, and meeting his eyes was not something I could do yet, but maybe I was getting used to him. “This is too much. I can’t let you do this for me.”

“It’s done,” he said and opened the door for a couple standing outside the shop.

I stepped back as they walked in.

“London,” Van said. “This is Hunter, my brother, and Ruby. They’re both investigators from our agency. They’re going to be helping with your case.”

I frowned. “Case? I thought the police—”

“We like to be proactive about these things,” Hunter said, blue eyes searching mine.

I had no idea what he meant by that.

Hunter’s expression was intense and familiar. Van often wore the same expression. They had a lot of similarities. Both tall, about the same height. The same firm lips and sharp cheekbones. The same dark hair. The main difference was their coloring. Van’s skin and eyes were darker.

“How you doing?” Ruby said, tucking a purple-streaked lock of hair behind her ear. She wore all black, leather jeans and a jacket to match. Her eyes were bright blue, sharp and intense but warm at the same time.

“I’m okay,” I said, giving my standard answer.

She came closer and rested her hand on my arm. “We will get this fucker, London,” she said fiercely. “We’ll make sure he never has the chance to hurt you or anyone else again.”

Her kindness hit me unexpectedly. She didn’t know me—neither did Hunter, apart from what Van had told them—and yet there they all were, ready to help me, making sure I was safe, that I felt safe.

Her face went blurry as sudden and unwanted tears filled my eyes. “Thank you,” I managed and quickly turned away, moving behind the counter and pretending to get busy working. I wasn’t fooling anyone.

Hunter and Ruby stayed for a while, speaking with Van. He seemed to have a lot to say, not that I could hear them at the other end of the store. Van showed them my new security system as well, and I saw him point out several cameras I hadn’t noticed before, then Ruby waved to me, and they left.

Van didn’t. He stayed.

I felt guilty that he had to be there with me, but I was glad he was, more than he knew.

* * *

The next morning I was up and dressed when Van walked out. I’d managed a little more sleep, but after another nightmare woke me, I’d laid there staring at the ceiling, wondering what I’d done to deserve this. What it was about me that drew that kind of evil, not once but twice.

I guessed I’d cried myself to sleep, tired myself out enough to get a couple hours rest.

My eyes were puffy, and no amount of concealer could help me there. I just hoped Van didn’t notice. I smiled when he strode toward me but ducked my head, hiding.

He stopped in front of me. “Look at me, London. I don’t like it when you hide from me.”

Crap. What could I do? He’d called me out. I tilted my head back but focused on his chin.

“You’ve been crying,” he said, voice gritty.

I shook my head. “I’m just tried, that’s all.”

“You don’t need to suffer alone…not anymore. I’m right here. You need me, all you have to do is say the word.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Did he want me to knock on his door in the middle of the night and cry all over his shoulder? I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t bear for him to see me like that. I didn’t tell him that though “Thanks,” I said.

He narrowed his eyes at me, like he wasn’t buying it. “London…”