Page 46 of Claimed By the Villain

“I’m starting to believe that. Look, I don’t want to be nosy, but L said you’re moving in with him.”

“What?”

“L told me you were at his place yesterday, which I already knew, because I remembered the dinner invite you got, but when he said you were moving in for good, I didn’t know how to process that.”

Jesus. I don’t know whether to laugh or kill him. The man has no concept of subtlety.

I decide to break the news to her slowly.

“It’s true,” I say, because even though we didn’t exactly discuss that but rather the marriage, based on what Lucifer told me about his enemies, I know he’d never leave me exposed, living alone. Besides, if I understood him correctly, this marriage that will guarantee my safety will have to happen very soon.

“And your apartment?”

“I’m not selling it. I’m leaving it as it is. This thing between us happened so suddenly. I’m not sure it will work out.”

“What will work out? You sound serious. Now I’m worried.”

“For your own protection, I can’t tell you everything, Taylor. Only that there’s a lot about my past you don’t know. I thought I’d left it all behind years ago, but no one can run from their origins.”

“I won’t push for confessions, Jackie. I hate that, but at least tell me you’ll be safe.”

“I will. And I’m not planning to leave Manhattan. We’ll stay in touch. I just don’t think it’s a good idea, for now, for us to be seen together. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“L’s been investigating your disappearance since he rescued you, and he said he’s following a hot lead. I forgot to mention it, he told me last night at dinner, I think, as a way to shift the conversation from our future marriage.”

“He’s found out who kidnapped me?”

“If he has, he didn’t give me the details. If he’s sure, he hasn’t told me yet.”

“I know you can’t tell me much about him, but can you at least answer me this: Is L one of the good guys, Jackie?”she asks, then quickly adds,“Sorry, I didn’t have the right to say that. Whatever he does for a living, L was my hero.”

“Honestly, I don’t think you need to know the details, Taylor. Isn’t it enough to know that whoever hurt you will be punished?”

“Yes, that’s more than enough. Promise me you won’t disappear?”

“I promise. One last thing. I’ll have to stop my in-person work at the association for now.”

She goes quiet, and I think she wants to ask questions, but she holds back.

“And your things? When are you going to get them?”

“I need to go to my place today. I don’t have anything here.”

“Can we have lunch sometime?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Tell me you’re not a prisoner, Jackie, because despite what you’ve asked of me, I’m starting to freak out.”

“I’m not. And you have my word that I’m not in any danger with him. I’m certain L would give his life for me without a second thought.”

“The love you have for him is beautiful. It’s unshakable faith.”

“Because I can see all of him, not just the beauty, not just the darkness. I see him. I know the flaws and the sins.”

“And you forgive it all?”