John had called Madi; they’d use their connections to get Mrs. Novak admitted to a hospital or care center where it’d be easier to protect her while she continued to receive the care she needed.
Being apart from her grandmother would kill Nina, but we didn’t have a choice. Now that we’d found the treasure, the target on her back was bigger and glowing like a neon fucking sign.
We all have targets on our backs.
Nina’s eyes never left the pictures as she fell into the chair I pulled out for her.
My heart broke for the pain we’d caused her. The pain we still needed to cause her.
“Nina,” John said, dragging her attention away from the pictures. “You won’t like this, but we have to take you to a safe house.”
She did that thing again, the one where she blinked rapidly, like she was using her long, dark lashes to fan the confusion out of her brain.
I refused to think about how cute the expression might be if she wasn’t overwhelmed and exhausted.And in danger.
“What?”
“The CIA officers who want your parents’ treasure are getting bolder. The safest place for you is a safe house.”
“No.” she stood and started towards the door.
Having anticipated the move, I was standing behind her. When she crashed into me, I steadied her with my hands on her shoulder, just like the day we’d met.
“Nina, this is the safest course of action.”
“No. My grandmother needs me.”
Right, because of course Nina was thinking emotionally, not logically, and her first thoughts were about her grandmother.
Can you not act like a robot?I heard Bryce ask in my head.
With Nina, I could.
I pulled her into my chest, wrapped one arm around her back, and cupped her head with the other.
Expecting her to resist, I kept my grip loose so she didn’t feel trapped.
She didn’t. Instead, she curled into me and rested her forehead against my chest.
The trust she placed in me melted some of my armor.
“I know this is scary and you’re worried about your grandmother,” I lifted her chin so she had no choice but to look at me. “But, Cherry, I promise you we won’t let anything happen to her.”
“How can you promise that?”
I used my thumb to wipe away an escaping tear.
“John and Madi are looking for a respectable place for her to stay while you’re at the safe house.”
“You want to put her in a home?”
Shit. How do I answer honestly without upsetting her even more?
“Not exactly,” John saved my bacon, again. “We’re looking for a care center where she can receive the care she needs while we provide full-time protection. I know you’re worried about thecare, or lack thereof, that she’ll receive in a home, but one of my guys will be there to make sure she’s treated well.”
Nina clung to me while she listened.
“I can’t afford hospital care for her.”
