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I rise to my feet and put distance between us, as she holds the sippy cup up to Avery’s lips. Avery takes a few more sips, then turns her head in my direction again.
I watch as Elsa places the cup on the table, and rises to her feet with the toddler in her arms. The sippy cup overbalances and hits the floor; some of the water spills out.
"Oh, god, I’m so sorry," Elsa gasps as she stops halfway to the play area.
"Stop apologizing, for fu— please." I stalk over to the settee, snatch up the sippy cup and place it on the side table, then pull out a few tissues from the tissue box placed there, and mop up the water. I walk into the kitchen and deposit the used tissues in the wastepaper basket. By the time I re-enter the living room, she’s placed Avery in the play area, and the little girl is playing with building blocks… Or rather, crashing the blocks into each other.
Elsa rises to her feet and glances at me. "I’m sorry we’re messing up your space," she murmurs.
"Didn’t I tell you to stop saying sorry?" I say through gritted teeth.
"I thought it would be a good idea to be back here when you returned from the hospital, but now, I’m not so sure."
"Because some water spilled on the floor?" I scowl at her. "You have a child Elsa, these things happen."
"It’s just..." She wrings her fingers together and sighs. "I got so used to apologizing for every noise, every mess. Really, anytime Avery’s presence became noticeable in any way. I never knew when he was going to blow up. And now...”
I growl and she looks up at me. “I’m just really confused about what to do, Seb."
"What do your instincts say?"
"I… I’m not sure." She shakes her head. "When Axel and Theresa went to pick up Avery from Fabio, I was so sure he wasn’t going to hand her over. Each time I return her to him, after the weekend is over, it’s like I lose a piece of myself. Every time, I’m scared senseless that this is the time he’ll decide he’s not going to let me pick her up again. Every single time, I worry that this is the last time I’m going to see her. It’s killing me, Seb."
I close the distance between us. "This is how he continues to abuse you, Elsa. And I’m giving you a way out. I told you, I’ll make sure thattes— man will never get close to your daughter again."
"I know." She shuffles her feet. "But how will you do it? Will you bribe the courts? Is that what you’re thinking?"
"Why don’t you leave that to me?" I take in her pinched features. "I’m part of theCosa Nostra; my family has owned this town for decades. I admit, the fact that Fabio is the police commissioner means things could get messy, but I’m not going to shy away from it."
"He already tried to kill you, Seb, and that’s my fault. It’s not something I’ll ever forgive myself for. If something happens to you again… I’ll… I’m not sure if I can take it."
"I survived, didn’t I?" I nod toward my sling. "I’m a little battered, but I’m fine. I’m not going to be that easy to get rid of. Also, when it comes to choosing between my life and the future of your daughter, I know what's more important."
"Seb," she tilts up her chin, "you’re both important to me."
"And you are more than important to me. You’re my heart, Princess, and nobody comes between my heart and me."
"Do you mean it?"
"Of course I do."
"So, you’ll do anything I ask?" A strange look comes into her eyes.
The hair on the nape of my neck rises. What is she up to? Whatever it is, I’m not going to be happy about it. I hesitate.
"You said I could trust you, Seb," she reminds me.
Am I going to regret the words? Am I going to regret asking her to do so?
"Elsa," I warn, but she shakes her head.
"You said I could trust you. Surely, you can return the favor?"
I blow out a breath. "Fine," I say, knowing I’m going to regret it. And it’s not that I don’t trust her. It’s just... I’ll do anything to take care of her, and knowing how much she loves Avery, and how she’ll do anything to protect her daughter... Somehow, I know she’s planning to do something that’s going to make it very difficult for me to keep her safe.
"Okay." She blows out a breath.
"Okay," I nod, "what do you want from me?"
