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“Fine. I can be at your house in an hour.” He hung up before Anthony could respond.
Quietly ducking back into the bedroom, he grabbed his clothes and snuck back out. He didn’t like having to slip in and out. Hide something from her. But by the sounds of it, he would need to figure out how to break whatever it was Anthony had to tell him to her in a way that would have the least impact.
Not that he believed that was possible.
If it was bad, he wasn’t even sure he wanted to tell her. Seeing hurt in her gaze from words being delivered by him was not high on his list of things to do.
Writing a quick note for Soph and his mother, he placed it on the counter by the coffee pot, knowing that’s the first place his mother went to when she woke up. He was out the door in under five minutes and on his way to his shop to check in, and then to Sophia’s childhood home with dread lining his gut.
A peaceful pain filled Sophia’s body as she slowly woke up to the sun streaming its warm rays through the window. It was one of her favorite things, feeling the heat relax her tense muscles.
Gingerly raising up from the bed, she knew Nox was gone. Not just from the bedroom, but from the house. He had this commanding presence that couldn’t be missed when he was in the same space as her, and it was missing.
Where he was off to was the question.
Going to the washroom and cleaning up, it wasn’t long before Lorraine was knocking on the door calling for her. “Sophia?”
“I’m up,” she responded, entering the bedroom as the woman walked in.
“Oh, you look so much better!” Nox’s mom exclaimed happily. “A good night’s rest does wonders for the wounded.”
“I do feel better.” She gave a warm smile back.
“How about we go for breakfast?” At Lorraine’s suggestion, Soph frowned, wondering if it was a good idea.
“Where did Lennox go?” She couldn’t bring herself to leave the house without him. It wasn’t even about him being protective and not wanting her to go. She truly didn’t feel safe without him. The thought was surprising and had her frowning. She couldn’t be a wuss. She had to get over her fears, not let them own her.
“He had a meetin
g early this morning,” she explained.
“Did he say when he’d be back?” Sophia didn’t want him coming home and them not being there. He’d freak right out.
“No, but we can leave him a note, and Levi will be with us.” That shocked Sophia. He had been pretty tight-lipped and seemed to be avoiding his mother. “He just doesn’t know it yet.” A devious grin graced the woman’s face.
“I’ll be right down.” Lorraine nodded and left her to dress.
Looking for her small bag, she saw it sitting limply by the closet door. Walking over, she wasn’t shocked to see her things hanging with Nox’s own clothes. It was silly, but she beamed like she’d won the lottery. Seeing their belongings together made her insanely happy.
Choosing the cherry red dress that matched the color of Nox’s car, she quickly struggled into it after more cursing than she would ever admit to. Seeing her cute black ballet flats with the tiny red ribbons on the floor, she grabbed them as well as a small sweater to ward off any chill.
Once ready, she headed downstairs just as the doorbell rang. Descending the staircase as Levi walked in, he smiled at her. She returned the expression and was about to greet him when she got a look at his face.
“Oh, Levi,” she sighed, worried about the man. Stitches lined his jaw surrounded by bruising. He grimaced when she was on the last step and reached for his face, turning it so she could get a better look. “What happened?”
So much pain lingered in his eyes as he responded flippantly, “Don’t you worry about it, sugar.”
“I don’t doubt that. I’m worried about the damage your body is suffering.” He looked away. “And your mind.” Their gazes clashed, his own so much like Lennox’s and Lochlan’s but filled with more hurt and longing than she feared anyone understood. “I know Nox has said it, but I’ll listen, too, Levi. No judgment, I swear.” Her words were quiet as his mother walked in the room.
He nodded before greeting the older woman. “Hey, Ma.” His entire demeanor changed. He didn’t look hurt or lonely. He was happy, at peace. A peace she knew wouldn’t last longer than it took for Lorraine to turn away rather than scold him for his newest injury.
Sophia watched as mother and son interacted while avoiding the elephant in the room and behaved like everything was fine.
“Let’s go, shall we?” Lorraine said to them both.
“Did you leave a note?” Sophia had nearly forgotten.
“Lennox called. He’s going to meet us.” Relief engulfed her at the news.
