Page 21

Chapter Twenty-One

If I didn’t know I loved him before, I do now. -Flora

I pace back and forth in front of the living room window. Lacey winces as I take a sharp turn at the doorway and then walk back again. I’ve already worn a pattern in the carpet.

“You should probably get away from the window,” Lacey says softly. “The guys have us covered, but it’s probably giving them a heart attack every time you walk in front of that window.”

I twist my hands together and bite down on my lower lip. “Shit, forgot about that. Good point. Not used to being the target of killers. Silly me.”

“Come sit here. We can find a movie to watch or just talk if you want.” She pats the

cushion next to her on the huge sectional sofa. She’s a small, pixie-like creature with short, black hair and a gentle voice. Even though the thought of sitting threatens to give me hives, I find myself doing as she says. There’s something so peaceful about her.

“Go through this a lot, uh?” I ask with a wry grin, “Used to babysitting damsels in distress?”

She chuckles. “You can say I’ve been here a few times before.” Her grey eyes darken with emotion. “I’ve even been on your side of things before.” She places a soft hand on my shoulder. “It’s a tough place to be.”

I sigh and rub my sweaty hands along my leggings. “Sure as fuck is.” I wince. “Sorry, excuse the language.”

“It’s okay. I’m twenty, even though I know I don’t look it. And I’ve heard and seen a lot worse around here.”

I send her a startled glance. “You look like you’re sixteen. You’re so tiny.”

She lets out a long huff. “Don’t I know it? Everyone here thinks I’m a kid.”

My mouth crooks up in a smirk. “I know the feeling.” I pause. “What’s it like around here, anyway? Living here with all these guys on the compound?”

“And being the Founder’s sister?” she asks and wrinkles her nose. “About like you would expect. I’m smothered by all these guys.” She spreads her arms out wide. “They all look at me like I’m a little sister,” she grumbles. “Imagine having twenty older brothers.”

“Ugh, that sounds awful,” I say thoughtfully. “Of course, I never had siblings. There would have been a time or two I would have liked one.” I cast a glance towards the closed door, thinking of Levi again. He feels like my family now.

I turn when I feel Lacey’s hand on my shoulder. “These guys, even though they’re annoying, know how to protect those they love. Especially women and children. It’s even in their club motto.”

“I’m not worried about me,” I say softly. “I just want Levi to be okay.”

She sends me a sympathetic look. “They’re also very good at taking care of themselves.”

Right then, the door opens with a bang. “Flora, sweetheart?” Levi’s deep voice has me on my feet and striding towards the front hall.

I don’t take time to look at him. I just run into his arms. I kiss his face over and over again. “I’m so happy to see you.”

He holds me close for a moment and then steps back. “We got the other guy, Flora.

Everything’s good.”

I nod, not caring about that at all.

I finally survey him, taking in the sight of my rumpled man.

“Shit, you’re bleeding.” Now, all I can focus on is the blood dripping from his ear. How did I not notice it before? I feel sick at the sight.

He grins. “It’s just a graze, sweetheart. Nothing to worry about.”

“Just a graze, he says, nothing to worry about, he says, like getting grazed by a bullet is an everyday occurrence,” I grumble.

He kisses me quickly. “Get me home and you can nurse me back to health.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” I quip.

I do bandage the “graze” on the side of his ear, as he called it. And I kiss it to make it better. Then I kiss the rest of him just to reassure myself that he’s here.

After we make love, I watch him like a creeper.

Fuck, I’m in so deep. Please keep him safe.