Page 58 of Unexpected Complication

“I thought we might need it today.”

“You heading in?”

I nodded. “As long as you’re okay. You, ah, recovered?”

He frowned. “Bit of a headache, but I’m good. Tell me you got all her drugs.”

“I did.”

“Good. She is far too clever for her own good. I plan on having a talk with her later.”

The news didn’t surprise me, but my protective feelings were simmering very close to the surface. “Take it easy on her, okay? This was all because of me. I should have told her.”

“Which makes me…” he prompted.

I rolled my eyes. “It makes you right, old man, okay? Just don’t yell at her.”

He smirked. “Hearing you admit I was right might be worth this headache.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “I won’t yell. I’m just gonna talk to her. I promise. Now, you want me with you when you go?”

“Not today. I’ll go see Orson. I want you to stock up this place.” I met his eyes. “Fill it. Get her everything she might need for the next while. She knows we’ll be gone a lot.”

“Did you tell her everything?”

“Yes.”

“How did she take it?”

“She handled it well. She told her story, I told mine.”

He arched his eyebrow at me, and I quietly shared Skylar’s history. He frowned as he listened, shaking his head when I was done.

“Rough.”

I nodded.

“Does she know how you feel about her?”

“I think we’re both pretty clear on that subject.”

“I guess she was meant to meet you.”

I smirked at him. “You believe in fate now?”

He shrugged. “I think things happen for a reason.” He poured himself another coffee. “Maybe we should send her to Julia, Cian. Get her away from this, from us entirely, until it’s done. She’d be safe, and you wouldn’t be distracted.”

My hand tightened on my mug. I had thought of that, and I knew it would be for the best. Still, I shook my head. “I can’t, Sean. Not yet. I…I need her close right now. Even if I can only see her once in a while—I need her close. She has Julia’s number in the phone.”

“And if things escalate?”

“You get her to Julia.”

“I may take that decision away from you.”

I swallowed hard, knowing he was right. He might have to.

I glanced down the hall where I knew Skylar was asleep. Safe and tucked into a warm bed—my bed—and resting, knowing she was protected and cared for. She trusted me to do both.

“You do what you have to do when the time comes,” I rasped out through my suddenly dry throat.