Page 71 of Traitorous Lies

“Is this your spot?” she asked.

His unusual eyes met hers, and again she sensed that he was seeing more than just her. That he was looking right down into her soul. “Yes.”

“I didn't mean to intrude on it.”

“It’s fine.”

“Do you want me to leave?” As much as she felt safe in this tiny little clearing with the late fall sun shining right down on her, she didn't want to take over Lion’s special place.

“No.”

With that single word, he went back to whatever he’d been doing as he watched over her while she sobbed. Now that the tears were finally slowing down, Monique could see that he held a piece of wood in his hand and that he was using a small knife to whittle away at it.

Curiosity got the best of her, and she slid off the large rock and took a step closer. “What are you making?”

Instead of answering with words, he lowered the knife and held upthe piece of wood. It looked like he was carving it into the shape of a hedgehog. Was it because of her? Did he somehow know about Cinderella? Her heart ached at the thought of her little baby not being by her side, but she knew whoever she wound up being married off to wasn't likely to think a pet hedgehog was cute.

“A hedgehog,” she whispered, and he nodded. “Why?”

“You know why.”

“How do you know about Cinderella?”

“You know that as well.”

Did she?

Did he mean Jax?

“He told you,” she said softly. That surprised her. She knew he’d been doing little things for her, cooking food he knew were her favorites, having pink sheets delivered to her room, having her favorite music playing in the common spaces, her favorite flowers sitting in vases, her favorite perfume turning up in her bathroom.

So many little things, all based on bits and pieces she’d told him about herself while they were walking through the forest in France.

He’d remembered every single one of them.

“Why?”

Lion cocked his head, studying her. “You know why.”

“I don’t,” she said on a sob, and her eyes grew watery again.

“Because he’s an idiot, but he’s an idiot who cares about you.”

“If he cared, why would he say such mean things to me?”

“Because sometimes when we’re angry or scared, we say or do things we don’t mean.”

“Are you talking from experience?”

Lion gave a single nod.

“I don’t think I can let myself trust him again, believe him,” she admitted. “I did that once, and it backfired. Now it feels like he’s just playing nice to use me for information, like he planned to all along.”

“Jax is an idiot, but he’s a good guy. You don’t have to trust him again. That’s your choice. But believe this. If he weren't a good guy, he would have taken his revenge on your father any way he could.”

Monique gulped, understanding what he was saying even though he hadn't said the words aloud. “You mean by hurting me.”

“Instead of doing that, he’s protected you every way he knew how. He was a jerk to say those things to you, and you should make him grovel before you accept his apology, but never forget what kind of man he is.”