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"What do you mean?" I ask, my heart suddenly beating unevenly, my hands shaking uncomfortably. A silly response to the possibility of being alone when it's such a natural state for me to be in. It's not about me, though. This racing heart… It's— "I thought we were going to spend time…" I trail off.
His dark, strong brows draw in, creasing his forehead, displaying glimpses of his age. He looks tired.
Did you sleep at all, Sir?
I reach up, and he turns his head, accepting my touch on his jawline. His softness sends vibrations of breath through my throat. Something is wrong.
"Don't panic, little deer. Listen to me and then drift back to sleep. My brothers and I went out last night to be seen," he states, his voice carrying faux indifference. He's not indifferent this morning, and he's failing to mask it.God.I don't like this feeling at all. "To be photographed in Dubai."
Words cling to my tongue.
"Sweet girl, I don't want secrets between us."
I swallow thickly.
"I believe your father is in a motorcycle club's compound," he states firmly, and I squeeze my eyes shut. Holding them still to focus on my breathing as his timbre rips the air from me. This is happening.Now.I'm not ready. "He grew up in the District," he points out. "My father, the name Butcher and Storm, did not. My father grew up in Sicily. Jimmy too. Which is why we aligned with Dustin in the first place. He has alliances all over the country. It's true that some of the locals fought back during the Family's takeover. The bikers were the first to disapprove, but they followed one of their own. They followed Dustin. I have good reason to assume they have been protecting him for some time, and that he is planning something. This can't wait." He pauses, his voice strangled as he says, "Protectingyoucan't wait."
He leans down and kisses my eyelids. One, and I take a big breath in. He moves to the other eye, so I can exhale on contact. Then his lips touch mine quickly, provoking my eyes to open when he draws back, my skin mourning his warmth.
A deep clear-blue stare, full of wisdom and severity, pins me in place. "We are going to take the compound as soon as we arrive back in the District tonight. Finish this for the last time. Then we'll fly back here immediately after and be seen in Dubai within twenty-four hours."
I try to wrap my head around his words, intent on understanding his dealings in a business way. In an emotionless way. Like him. "You're using the media."
"Propaganda, little deer. The issue with being at thetop,sweet girl,is that you're always atopic.I had to give them a headline so they would be looking here and not in their own backyard."
I blink over his shoulder, shuffling the information around, ignoring the ever-growing rate of my pulse. I fight the panic that rises. Swallow it down. "So you hid me on the way in, but then went out to be seen last night?"
"Yes."
Nodding mechanically, fighting the bubbling of tears, I whisper, "And Cassidy and Shoshanna?"
"They will be here. With you. And Xander, also."
Xander too.So, it's too dangerous for his little brother?
God, breathe, Fawn.
He'll be okay.
Don't go, Sir.
"Why Dubai?" I ask, my chest beginning to strain the more I understand the situation. The gravity of it. My chest heavy with pressure, my lungs collapsing with the need to control my rising panic.
"Because, sweet girl, despite how I feel about that pretty glow you gave Malik, he adores money nearly as much as I adore you. Of which, I believe he has no greater love affair. I will be giving him a lot of it. So, he is going to protect you.Allof you while we are out of the country."
Andweneed protecting because this is not safe, but while we are heavily protected, who is protecting him?
The shuddering of my heart surges through my veins and overwhelms me. My panic for the win.
Send someone else.
The guards, soldiers, henchmen.
Whatever!
Anyone else!
Abruptly, I push up, forcing him to lean back to allow me the space. His eyes turn to thin slits, glaring at me as I command, "Don't go!"
