Page 83 of Protective Love

"Believe me, I don't need a reminder about that. I'm very well aware."

"Let me talk to Nathan."

She sighs, and then I hear rustling through the phone before I'm graced with Nathan's stoic voice.

"I promise, I'm trying to find him," he says, not even giving me a chance to speak. "I really don't think there's any need for you to worry or panic right now. Nothing is indicating that he went to London, and you were well hidden, so I highly doubt that nitwit would've been able to figure it out."

"Nathan, that's not what I'm worried about right now. You can't fly out here, especially not with Chrissie."

"I know that," he bites back, annoyance evident in his tone. "She believes I'd let her, but she's mistaken. Killian however, will be flying out in a few days. We're sending some of our men over tonight, and they're going to follow any leads that we might be able to get."

"Okay. Just promise me she'll stay in Ireland. It's safer for her there."

"I promise, but I have also promised her that I'm going to keep you safe as well, and I'm not going to break that promise."

"Yeah, I know, and I appreciate it," I whisper, glancing at Leo from the corner of my eye to see if he's paying any attention to the conversation I'm having.

He's focused on the road ahead as he navigates through the late-night traffic in London on a Friday night, seemingly completely oblivious to the fact I'm even on the phone, but I know he's aware of everything that goes on around him.

"If you're convinced he's there, maybe book some time off work and stay home. I'll send Finn over tonight with some other guys, and I'll make sure he heads over to your place tomorrow to check on you."

"You really think Finn is the best one to send my way?" I ask, thinking back to the last time I saw my ex's younger cousin and remembering how he snarled at me the whole night I was at his house.

"You know he's not on Danny's side. None of us are, except the few that have also disappeared with him. Finn's a lot like Killian," he tells me, possibly trying to be reassuring.

"I think I'd rather Killian show up at my door than Finn," I whisper.

He chuckles through the phone.

"Fine, but that does mean no one will be there for a few days."

I sigh and chew the inside of my cheek as I think about being alone and unprotected for the next couple days when I know for a fact that Danny is here in London.

"That's okay. I'll stay home."

"Okay, well I'd better go so I can sort all of this out then. Stay safe, little one," he mutters before cutting off the call.

I look around, expecting to be at my apartment complex already, but when I see we're still driving through an unfamiliar street, I turn to Leo with a worried expression.

"Where are we?"

"Took a different, and longer route than usual," he says, glancing in his rear-view mirror as he turns another corner.

I look in the wing mirror, to see if there's someone behind us, but there's nothing apart from the dark street.

Sighing in relief, I finally allow my body to relax into the seat as my mind goes into overdrive in an attempt to convince myself that I am just being paranoid, and that Danny has no idea where I am.

Five minutes later, when Leo finally pulls up outside my gated complex, I remain in the car, feeling apprehensive.

"No one's around," Leo says, glancing in each of his mirrors to check our surroundings. "I'll remain here until I see you get inside."

The tension in my muscles dissipates slightly, and I turn to him with a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

"You ready to tell me what's going on yet?" he asks as I open my door and gather my things in my lap.

I shake my head.