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“I have a different plan, one I could use your help with.”
“Good.”
He didn’t press for answers now, but we’d need to talk in the next few days.
“Yesterday was Amy’s actual birthday, and I’ve thought of a perfect gift.”
I outlined what I needed from him.
“I’ll get that prepared for you. Get some rest.”
“What did I tell you about giving orders?” I asked.
He just grunted and dropped the painkillers on the side, leaving me with my sleeping beauty.
23
Sean’s snores vibrated his chest. His breaths lifted the warm muscles beneath my palm rhythmically. I’d woken up yet again, dribbling all over him. Now, I was watching him like a creeper, thinking over the last few weeks’ events.
His domineering approach drove me nuts, but what was my current alternative? Running away and falling into the clutches of Mamá’s killers? Sean wanted to protect me, and while we’d need to work on his methods, I wanted what he provided: support, shelter, and affection. The lonely little girl inside me wanted to stay more than the woman in me who wanted to hit him upside the head again. He’d shown me care and attention that fundamentally altered my outlook in a short space of time, almost like I’d grown addicted to him.
I opened the rawest of my wounds last night, and he merely held me. I always thought I’d need to bury my secrets if I wanted a relationship. I’d mapped out my career, but the life beyond qualifying had always been fuzzy. It involved me working hard, making my mamá proud, and eventually having a house and family. They were always blurry in my mind, like the faceless man I used to imagine when I danced. They weren’t clearly defined, but they would be. And then I’d finally be normal. My fictional husband would have a nice, respectable job, and he would never have learned about my terrible past. I’d keep it locked away, forcing my life to be safe and mundane.
But I wasn’t normal, and feeling seen by Sean last night, knowing he knew the worst corners of my past and still wanted me, had changed something inside me.
Sean groaned, blinking his eyes open. His hand found mine on his chest and squeezed it.
“I’m glad you didn’t run.” His voice was gravelly, and it made me shiver.
“The big dude said it was pointless.” My voice croaky, too.
“Sometimes he talks sense.” He pulled us up against the headboard with a wince.
The lump on his temple was less pronounced, and although I felt bad about it, he had to know he couldn’t kidnap me without consequences.
“I’m still not sorry I hit you. You can’t go around drugging me.”
He nodded as he dragged my hand back to his chest.
“And I’m not sorry about drugging you. The Stefanovs had you under surveillance. It was no longer safe. Niko broke into your flat and set it on fire.”
“What?” I reeled back. “What about Cat?” I scrambled to get off the bed, but his arm tightened.
“She’s fine. Craig took a bullet getting her out.”
“Oh my god. Is he okay? Shit. I need to call Cat.” I looked around, expecting to see my phone.
“She’s with a friend, and Craig’s fine.”
“Her friend from uni, Sienna?”
Sean made a non-committal noise.
Oh my god.
“Everything I own is gone?”
“Not everything, a chuisle. Craig was there to get your stuff. He’d already packed most of it, including the pictures of your mother and grandmother. We have most things.”
