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“Good girl,” he praised her. “We’re going to spend this time we have together working on trust, on getting to know one another.”
“But how long can you stay? What if you have to go and I can’t . . . I can’t go with you.” Worry filled her face.
“I’ve bought us enough time, I think,” Liam replied. “We need to find you a new therapist.”
“If you’re willing to speak to one,” Nico added hastily.
She licked her lips. “Actually, there’s someone one of my cousins mentioned, she lives in their town, Haven. I was thinking that maybe I could call her and see if she’ll do some sessions over the phone.”
“I’m proud of you for seeking out help,” Liam told her.
Happiness flooded her face. Nico knew how amazing it felt to have Liam’s praise.
“But what did you tell my brother you’d do for him to let you stay?” she asked.
“I told him I was going to help him find the rat in his ranks.”
“There’s a rat?” she asked.
“Regent thinks so. And with everything that’s happened, I agree.”
“Will that be dangerous?” Lottie chewed her lip.
“I’ll be fine, baby. I know how to protect myself. That’s why Victor had to leave, he’s dealing with a supplier in Mexico. Last shipment nearly got intercepted by the cops. Now the supplier is antsy.”
“We could just tell him about us. I don’t like lying to my brother.”
Nico and Liam shared a glance. “How do you think he’ll react?”
She bit her lip. “He’ll throw you out. But this is my house too.”
They just stared at her. “Yeah, you’d be dead meat. Darn it.”
“Baby, he wants to protect you. You’re his baby sister and you were hurt. You’re vulnerable. And he’s right to feel that way, even if he doesn’t need to protect you from us. Telling him would make things a lot harder. It’s not forever.”
“He wants me to be happy.”
“Of course, he does,” Nico said. “But he’ll think we’ve taken advantage of you.”
She sat. “This is my fault, if I was stronger, if I didn’t have a panic attack whenever I try to leave the house, then we could see each other like normal people.”
“It’s not your fault,” Nico told her fiercely, moving to her. Liam didn’t try to hold him back as he knelt in front of her. “It’s his fault. That bastard who took you.”
She nodded shakily. “I know. I just wish I could move past it. I want a life again.”
“We’ll help you,” Liam told her. “But for the moment, it will be easier to keep things between us.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
He tilted up her chin, studying her face. “You’re exhausted. You need a nap.”
“I just got up.”
“Your health worries me. Do you sleep much?”
She glanced away. “Not much, no.”
“Nightmares?” Nico asked.
