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“I’ve alluded to what I do for a living more than once without mentioning specifics.”
Her eyes were wide. “Go on.”
“I am the commander of an elite unit. We carry out clandestine missions, none of which the media knows about. For now, that is about all I can tell you.”
She cocked her head. “I didn’t ask, Levi.”
“I know, and the reason I told you is because it speaks to the kind of man I am. My personality, if you will.” I scrubbed my face with my hand. “When we were outside your building, I said something about not allowing you to take a car service.”
She smiled. “I remember.”
“And yesterday, err, last night...I can be demanding.”
El reached across the table, and I took her hand. “They’re two very different things, Levi. The first, I didn’t care for. The second, as you’re well aware, I liked very much.”
I weaved our fingers together. “If I ever offend you, please do not hesitate to let me know.”
“As my cousin will attest, I am not one to keep it a secret.”
I winced at the mention of Saint, wishing I hadn’t.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try not to refer to him, but Levi, Niven is a big part of my life. I think I mentioned I don’t have much of a relationship with my parents, which means he’s all I have. Well, and Harper and the baby once she’s born.”
“She’s having a girl, then?” I asked, wanting to get off the subject of Saint as quickly as possible.
“According to Harper, although Niv may have said the doctor’s confirmed it.”
“I don’t want him to come between us.”
“Neither do I.” She took a deep breath. “Now, there’s something I need to tell you.”
19
ELIZA
Whatever had happened between Niven and Levi would stand between us. It didn’t matter that we didn’t want it to.
“Last year, I learned my father—both my parents, actually—were heavily in debt. I also learned that, before her death, Niv’s mother had been supporting them. She even purchased their flat. When she died, eleven years ago, the lavish spending Nigel and Millicent, as I’ve come to think of them, continued. Between then and now, they’ve outspent their income by a million pounds.”
His eyes scrunched, but he squeezed my fingers, I suppose to let me know I had his support.
“Niven discovered their predicament and came to their rescue, so to speak. The cottage in Alfriston where he and Harper live has been in our family for generations, and when Nigel learned of its worth, he put it on the market, hoping he could use the funds to cover some of his debts.”
“I’m sorry, El.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need, which I’ll explain in a minute.” I glanced at the kitchen island. “May I have another glass of wine?”
“Of course, unless you’d like something stronger?”
“Wine is good for now. Perhaps later.”
He stood, picked up the bottle, then returned to my side of the table. After pouring, he set it down, then sat beside me. Before I could go on, he lifted me onto his lap.
“Levi—”
“I need to hold you, El. Will you let me?”
His kindness, knowing he cared enough to say what he needed instead of assuming I did, was nearly my undoing. I had to get through this, though, because what I did need was for him to understand my relationship with my cousin.