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“I did and do.” She brings a hand to my hair and scratches the scalp, tugging on the ends. London does this a few times, eliciting a hum of approval. “Very warm and comfortable.”
“Good.” With the bottom of my foot, I push out her chair to my right. It scrapes against the wooden floors as I release her tender flesh and sit back. “Please join us.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Mariah answers for me, a hint of amusement in her tone. “Besides, you need to know what’s going to occur over the next few days.”
A lot is going on, and unfortunately, my plane leaves in a few hours.
Magda walks in then, a platter of bacon and eggs in each hand. She looks over at Twirl, her eyes lighting up. “Lovely to see you, Miss Foster.”
“You too.” London sits, grabbing the carafe of coffee and pouring a cup. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“My pleasure, sweet girl.” She leaves and comes back a few minutes later with some waffles and cut strawberries, the syrup and butter already on the table. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Let me know if you want or need anything.”
By the time she leaves, London has my plate ready and almost overflowing with food. She places it in front of me and then fills her own. “Eat.”
“Yes, boss,” I say with a chuckle, and Twirl rolls her eyes. The other two follow her lead, silently piling on food, and then digging in as we ignore the paperwork in front of me.
I can tell that she’s curious, but I’ll give her credit for waiting. She’s giving me the chance to explain. Giving me a chance to prove that she can trust me.
Once my plate is pushed forward, Javi and Mariah do the same, waiting for my next move. My eyes remain on hers, though. There are so many questions in them, a small hint of doubt that I’ll erase.
“Twirl, I’m going to be leaving the country for a few days.”
“What? Why?” There’s a hint of panic in her tone. Her eyes look sad, but she’ll understand that it’s a temporary thing. I’ll always come back to her. For her.
“There’s a business meeting in Costa Rica I must attend, but I’ll be back in three days.” Beside me, Mariah pushes a piece of paper toward her. My itinerary. “That’s the information on my flight, where I’ll be, and how to contact me. Don’t hesitate to do so if something happens...I don’t care how small or inane you think it is...call me.”
Grabbing the paper, she looks over every single line on the sheet. It takes her a few minutes, but once she’s satisfied, London places it to her right and looks at me. “What am I supposed to do while you’re gone? Do I move back and wait—”
“The fuck you will,” I interrupt, my discontent clear. Leaning toward her, I take her chin in my grasp and hold her stare. Make sure that her attention is on mine and she doesn’t misinterpret my words. “Your place is with me. In my home. Never, not for a single second, think that being anywhere but beside me is acceptable.”
“But—”
“No.” I shake my head, caressing her cheek with my thumb. “And I want you moved in when I get back. Everything you own and want to bring needs to be incorporated with mine.”
“Okay, but I’ll need some help.”
“That’s where I come in, Miss London,” Javier says before I can. Her eyes are on mine, though, never wavering. “Your bodyguard and I will be here to get you moved in. You’ll meet her tomorrow. Gina has been assigned to you, and while Malcolm is gone, so am I.”
“New bodyguard?” She’s lost and doesn’t know how to assimilate everything we’re saying. The concept of someone taking care of her is foreign.
It’s new and scary.
Especially after what we did yesterday. The new intimacy.
And while breaking the news gently would’ve been ideal, I don’t have the luxury. Her neck and arms bear the evidence of their mistreatment. I know their plans. Know how much they want her back, and I wouldn’t put it past them to try taking her by force and making a run for it.
“Yes, and don’t argue with me on this. You won’t win.” Bringing her closer, I brush my lips against hers as I speak. “Your life is about to change drastically, sweet girl. This is for your safety and my peace of mind. Trust me.”
22
“AFTERNOON, SON,” MY father says taking a seat across from me. He’s smiling, looking a little cocky, and I put my newspaper down, placing it beside my drink.
He’s a last-minute addition to this trip, and by the look on his face, he knows why he’s here.
Father or not, the shit he pulled with my girl a few days back needs an explanation.
