Page 84 of The Devil’s Lair

“Uh-oh. Do I need to brace?”

I wince. “Maybe.”

“Blimey, I was joking. Now I’m nervous.”

I fire a look at Isla. She’s not paying either of us any attention. “If Imogen or Vicky don’t mind babysitting Isla tonight, I’d like to visit The Lair.”

If I’d said I wanted to invite my former mother-in-law over for tea, I could not have shocked him more. His eyes flare wide, his eyebrows shooting up his forehead.

“The Lair? Wow. I did not see that coming. Why?”

“I talked to Jane about it at my last session. Going back allows me to reclaim my power and to conquer my fears when I know, deep down, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

He pulls in his lips. “I haven’t been back myself since it reopened. I should at least check on the staff, make sure everything is running okay, if that works for you?”

“That works.”

He reaches for my hand again. It’s becoming more natural now, this touching each other in a warm, platonic way. I wish it were more. I want it to be more.

It will never be more.

“You’ve become such a friend to me. I’m not sure how I survived without you,” Tobias tells me softly.

“Oh, behave.” I playfully flick his arm with my free hand. “You make me sound like some sort of saint.”

“I think you are.”

I angle my head to the side. “Now I know you’re messing with me.”

He presses a hand to his chest. “I’m wounded. This is from the heart.”

“Sure it is.” This time, I break our contact by sliding my hand from his. I push back my chair. “I’ll go find Imogen or Vicky and see if they don’t mind watching over Isla tonight.” I hold out my hand to her. “Want to come with me, pumpkin?”

She shakes her head and nestles closer to Tobias. He positively blooms, encircling her in his arms and kissing the top of her head.

“I’ve been relegated.” I chuckle to show him I’m not in the least bit jealous of how his relationship with Isla has developed. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. A father who gives a shit, who puts her first, who loves her and opens himself up to allow her to love him back.

A man the complete opposite from her biological father.

The trauma we both suffered seems like a lifetime ago. I don’t have much to repay Tobias with, but maybe Isla’s adoration and my affection and everlasting gratitude will be enough.

Tobias’s driver pulls around to the back of the club where the staff entrance is. We get out and Tobias takes my hand. I’m grateful for the contact. My heart is beating hard enough against my ribs to crack one, and if my knees keep knocking like that, I’ll deafen the customers.

“I usually enter through the main entrance,” Tobias explains. “It gives me a chance to talk to the reception staff and any customers that are around, but I thought this might make you more comfortable.”

“It does, thank you.”

The staff-only entrance opens up into a dimly lit corridor. Tobias walks for a few feet, then turns left through a door marked “Private: Staff only.” He stops outside the second to last door on the left. The sign reads, “Frank Dutton: Head of Security.”

“This is the man who was with me that night. I should tell him I’m here. If you’d rather not see him, you can wait in my office. It’s right next door.”

“No, I’d like to see him to thank him. He saved your life and mine.”

“He’s a good man. One of the best.” Tobias taps on the door then opens it. I’m surprised. He owns this place, yet he still shows respect by knocking first. Frank isn’t the only good man around here. At every opportunity, Tobias shows me who he is, and I’ll never stop being grateful that we met, even if it was in such dreadful circumstances.

“Tobias.” Frank rises from behind his desk. “It’s great to see you.”

“Been a while.” Tobias holds out his hand, and the two men shake. “You remember Rebecca, my wife.”