In the shared bathroom, he showers, shaves and checks in with Danya.
‘Eight bells, Kestrel.’
Lachlan studies himself in the mirror.
Everything has changed inside, but it barely shows on the outside.
Transformed.Lachlan can’t tell yet where it leads, whether it will make things worse or better.He only knows the truth of what he feels.
Love has changed him.
Love has unmade him.
Love has levelled him up.
Lachlan smiles, and goes to work,new.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Lachlan only catches two hours of sleep after the sun rises.
They have a busy day ahead.
He eats breakfast with Mimi and Blaire.
Mimi is making many plans for the protection of the Estate while he’s gone.She’s asking Mari to bring his other fox friends here just in case, as backup.
Jules joins them half an hour into breakfast.He reaches for coffee, wincing only slightly as he sits down beside his little sister.‘Hey, Mimikins,’ he greets when she looks up at him and beams.‘How’s the schemes?’
‘Daddy and me are making plans for Shadow Sneak Myna.’
‘Excellent.’Jules locks eyes with his bodyguard across the table for a single moment that feels like eternity.Lachlan’s heart trips, throat swelling to craft an involuntary swallow.‘Morning, Lachlan.’
He doesn’tdarelook at Blaire, who’s gone rigid beside him.
Of all the fucking times for Jules to say his name.
Blaire gets up and excuses herself, assures Mimi she’ll be right back.
Jules glances at her and then drops his gaze, guilt lightly creasing his eyes before it’s ironed away and he gives a small nod to Lachlan.‘Show me your plans, Mimikins,’ Jules offers and she settles in,lovesexplaining things.
‘One minute,’ Lachlan says as he gets up to follow.
‘Ambitious for you,’ Jules quips.Despite everything, Lachlan has to bite back a smile as he goes to find Blaire.
She’s in her bedroom.
He doesn’t knock.
‘Blaire,’ he says, quietly beseeching, closing the door behind him.
‘You didn’t.Tell me you didn’t.’
Lachlan closes his eyes.
Blaire hasalwaysbeen his mainstay.
‘I love him,’ Lachlan tells her, as if it explains anything, excuses it.
