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“He’s training Laney?” I ask slightly stunned.
“I assumed you knew. She asked him shortly after you all got here. I gave them free rein of the gym in the pool house to train. She wanted to learn to defend herself and her friend with more than just a bow, apparently.”
I take a moment to absorb that. I guess he was one of the only people who could really teach her. She knew the three of us wouldn’t have the time and we likely would have said no either way. I’m sure she didn’t ask Evie out of fear of pissing her off because she was still on bed rest. It was a good move, and I admire Laney for wanting to get stronger.
“I need to know if you believe me. We can’t build a relationship on distrust. I’ve always been honest with you even when it wasn’t good— even when I likely should have kept it to myself.”
Taking a moment to truly look at him, I can see the honesty in his eyes. I don’t trust Evie with many people. It’s doubtful I ever will, but I think I’m beginning to trust her ability to handle herself. Because I saw that blade embedded in the wall right by where the trespasser fell into the door. The other was stuck in the bedpost next to where my father had been standing. She likes to play and give warning shots; the two other blades she still had with her in the fucking shower prove that she’s able to defend herself properly again.
My father had many opportunities to hurt all of us but he chose not to, so I guess I can logically come to the conclusion that he is trustworthy. But not without a warning.
“I believe you, but you need to know that if anything happens to her, because of you for any reason, I won’t hesitate to shoot you next time.”
He claps my shoulder and squeezes it affirmingly.
“Son, I will protect her with my life, but I don’t want you all to run. I want to find a way you can all stay.”
I want that too. Lev, Damien, and I have worked for our entire lives to find all the ways we could make this organization better. We have so many plans and ideas, ways we want to help those loyal to us as well as our community. I hate to give it up, but I will for her. I squeeze my father's shoulder back because I don’t have words to give him. I don’t want to leave, but for Evie’s sake, we might have to.
Chapter 19
After getting dressed, I walk out of the closet all sorts of pissed off. First, some asshole broke into my room while I was showering. Then Boris, of all people, shoots the fucker. Let’s not forget to top it all off with my men all coming in here to take the asshole away while I stood there in a towel like I’m completely helpless.
I could have dragged the motherfucker to the basement by myself. Well, with a lot of directions that is. And shit, I guess I shouldn’t be doing something like that in just a towel.
But the point is, I could have handled it. Instead of having three protective men surrounding me, apparently I now have a fourth. While part of me is glad to know Boris would defend me, I also hate that he had to.
“Lucky Charm,” Lev says, following me to the bed as I pull on some socks angrily. “Talk to me.”
I huff out a frustrated breath when I pull the sock too tight and rip a large hole in it. Yanking it off, I toss it across the room and turn to glare at the man in front of me.
“I can take care of myself,” I say simply, like he should be able to read my mind right now.
His brows pinch in confusion before he turns around and walks into my closet, coming back with a new pair of socks. I just said I could take care of myself and he thinks doing something for me is the answer right now.
He stands in front of me but makes no motion to give me the socks. Now it’s my turn to be confused. I drop my head into my hands, trying to pull myself together. I’m more mad about the fact that, for a little bit, I let myself believe I was safe. And now I’m terrified my uncle found out I’m here and sent someone after me. I thought we had him fooled, but clearly I’m wrong about that.
“I’m sorry,” I say under my breath, relenting to the fact that I’m being a bratty princess just like Alexi used to think I was. I don’t move my head up to look at him, but I can see between my fingers as he crouches down in front of me and holds out the socks. I reach out and take them with a dramatic sigh, but Lev pulls them back.
“Hey,” I joke, reaching for them again. He stands up to get out of my reach. I move to stand up too, but he shakes his head. “What the fuck, Lev?”
“You seem to interpret us protecting you as if we were saying you’re not capable.” He takes a step towards me, and I sit back down. Lev lowers himself in front of me and puts one of my heels on his knee.
“I know you’re capable of putting on these socks, even though you just ripped a hole in one because you were frustrated.” He cradles my foot and slides a sock onto it, then kisses the top before moving to the next one.
The only reason he’s getting away with this sappy shit is because he’s him. My mind hasn’t caught up with the thought that I should pull away and just take the socks from him.
“But, sometimes,” he continues, “we do things for each other to show we care.” He kisses the other foot then puts it down and moves between my legs. He’s so tall we’re eye to eye as he keeps speaking.
“So, Lucky Charm,” he breathes over my lips, “get the fuck over it.”
Maybe it’s because Lev never talks to me this way. Or maybe I’m just melting and becoming this giant softie I never thought I would be. But when Lev leans in to kiss me, even after speaking to me that way, I let him.
Fuck, these boys. I have a badass assassin reputation to protect!That reputation dies on my lips as he pushes me back and keeps kissing me like he’s drowning and I’m the only air in his lungs. A moan slips from my lips as he sits up slowly, getting to his feet.
“You good?” he asks.
My face is bright red, my shorts likely have a damp spot, and I want to jump this man right now instead of torturing the fucker that broke into my room. But yeah, I’m great.
