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I lifted a brow. "What's wrong with you? Are you jealous?"
He growled at me. "I could have fucking helped you."
I kept my gaze level with his. "Are you sure you're willing to go against Julian? Because you turned up and every interview opportunity I have has dried up. So you can see why I wasn't exactly wanting to have you help me with anything."
"I already told you, I had nothing to do with that."
"I know. It's just I made the appointment with Kevin before I knew that, so it is what it is."
He aggressively pushed the lift button. "Next time you need fucking help with something, you come to me. Do you understand?"
His grip on my elbow was not painful, but it was firm enough to clarify his point. There was also something in his gaze that looked almost hurt.
"I'm looking for my sister. And right now, for the first time, in a long time, I have a lead, and I do need your help. But more importantly, I need you to not tell my father. Can you do that?"
Nissa
Westin was in a hell of a mood. When we stopped at the cafe near the library for a snack, he was still scowling. "Oh come on, you're not seriously mad at me, are you?"
"I would have helped you, Nissa."
"Aren't you happy I have learned to solve my own problems? You haven't always been around, Westin."
"Don't you think I fucking know that? Now that I am, it pisses me off that the one thing I could have helped you with, you didn't even come to me with. Who is this Wesley kid anyway?”
I sighed, waving at the waitress to order tea. “Just some kid who knew Lenora and me at the care home. I don't even know if he'll know where she is, but it's something to go on.”
He frowned. "You never gave up, did you?"
I shook my head slowly. "No. I didn't. Nor do I ever intend to. I’ve run into a lot of dead ends over the years, but I know she's out there. And knowing she's out there keeps me going. Julian claims that he has tried to find her, obviously. But with all his resources, how is it that he was never able to find her? I personally don’t think he’s looked hard enough. And that's okay. I don't need anything from him. I can do it myself. She's out there. And that's all I need to know."
Westin’s eyes were grave as he nodded slowly. "Let me help you."
I shrugged. "You are helping me, in a way. You're guarding me, and watching me, making sure no nefarious twathole tries to take me or kill me or something."
He licked his lips. "You know I won't let anyone hurt you, right?"
The way he said it, with seriousness in his voice, I believed him. "I know. I just… You probably don't understand, but she's my sister."
"I understand better than anyone. You love her. You will do anything to see her safe."
I lifted my gaze to meet his, and we held it for a long time, watching each other. Aware of each other. And then as if to cut the tension he said, "Can I trust you to stay put?"
"Yes. I’ll stay put. Besides, the car and driver are right outside. I wouldn’t make it far."
Westin nodded. "Yeah. You're not going to go anywhere."
I sighed. "The trust goes both ways."
"I know, which is why I'm saying it. You're not going to go anywhere, right?"
I sighed. "No, I'm not. I promise."
"Excellent." Then he stood up and proceeded to go to the loo.
The waitress brought me my tea, peppermint and chocolate. The woman on my right murmured. “Gosh, that smells divine. What is that?”
I grinned at her and I had to blink twice at her beauty. Long braids, medium brown skin. Wide dark eyes.
