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And proud of it.
His chuckle followed me up the stairs. Mickey wasn’t here, he’d gone to the clinic and Bones had gone with him. Lunchbox, my normal shadow, was not present at the clubhouse today. I had to assume he was with Grace, whom I hadn’t seen since that day in the warehouse.
I needed to ask Mickey about her and make sure she was all right. Mickey trusted his guys, I got that. Didn’t hurt to verify, in any case. While she looked like she’d enjoyed slapping Lunchbox, I knew just how easy it was to hide what was really going on.
Jasper and Liam were not in the suite, which surprised me. When had they gone out? Everyone had been busy. I glanced toward the door to the hall. I hadn’t seen my mother in a couple of days, and each time I considered it…
Pivoting, I headed to my room for a shower and change. The room itself was quiet, the bed made and neat, but the two huge bundles of flowers on the dresser hadn’t been there when I left that morning.
Pink, orange, and yellow roses—one multi-colored stuck into the bouquets as well. There were Peruvian lilies. Daisies. Sunflowers. Baby’s Breath. And ivy…
They were the largest group of flowers I’d ever seen, and they werebeautiful. Even when I’d gotten roses for a performance or a new show or a closing show, they’d been a dozen long-stemmed roses at most, and that was it. Those had been beautiful too but not likethis.
A card sat between them and I picked it up, taking deep breaths of the sweet fragrance from each colossal vase. The room was going to be like sleeping in a garden. That just made me smile.
Slitting open the envelope, I pulled out the note card and unfolded it.
Hellspawn,
You brighten all of my days, especially these last few weeks when it’s been so damn dark. Maybe it’s because you’ve been in the dark and it doesn’t frighten you. Or maybe it’s because you survived the dark and appreciate the light. Maybe it’s just that you’re so goddamn stubborn, you remind me that I’m not alone and won’t let me pretend otherwise.
A laugh bubbledup inside of me.
The point isyou’re the perfect girl for me. For us. You deserve to be told that, and often. You also deserve flowers, diamonds, and all the pretty things I can persuade you to accept.
I love you.
Liam
Tears filledmy eyes at the simple, direct declaration.
P.S. There aretwo bouquets ‘cause Jasper was being a little bitch about wanting you to have flowers too. I’m pretty sure it will be seven when everyone returns, but mine were first, and J can suck it.
I burst out laughing,because it really was so them. Ten bucks says Jasper saw him write that and flipped him off. Their glares probably morphed into laughter. Taking another deep breath of their scent, I smiled.
Even after my shower, I was still smiling at the flowers. I got dressed in comfortable clothing and then opened the door to the sitting room when my phone rang.
Milo glanced up from where he sat on the sofa, his own phone in hand. I dug my phone out.
Lainey’s name flashed up at me from the screen.
Hitting answer, I put it to my ear. “You’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said with a huff. “Sorry for the sudden silence on my part. I’ve spent the last two weeks stuck on Ezra’s fucking island.”
Ezra’s family owned an island. I’d forgotten about that.
“But you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she repeated, sighing. “Are you guys okay? When I flew back today, he filled me in. Also, I have a new bodyguard, can’t wait for you to meet him.” The dry tone almost made me laugh.
“You know, for once,” I caught Milo studying me. “I agree with Ezra. I wanted you safe, too, although I may punch him in the balls for not letting us know what he did.”
“Honestly, being kidnapped is not at all as sexy as you made it sound.” She almost managed to sound scolding, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m pretty sure I never called it sexy, Lainey,” I said her name on purpose, and Milo rose to his feet. “But the fact that you’re safe and healthy is more important.”
Some of the tension drained out of Milo’s locked shoulders.
