Chapter 18 Ididn't sleep. Not even a little. I came home and paced my house, going from room to room and picturing how every space was about to change. When I couldn't handle that any longer, I played the drums for hours. I'd nearly killed that dealer. I was close. I wanted to. And if his friends weren't there watching me break his bones without intervening like the cowards they were, I honestly might have. He hurt my girl and scared her kid, and all I saw was fucking red. But it was her tears that flayed me open. I never understood the effect they have on me, but I can't handle them, and I can't handle Liora being afraid. I'm learning, almost too quickly, that I live by her. I die by her. And I exist somewhere in between. It's always been like that. Add to that, I've slowly started ruining her ex. Piece by piece, I'm dismantling his life. Taking what money he has and moving it offshore. His job will go next, followed by his apartment. I'd give that money to Liora right now. It'd be enough for her to get a place. But how do I explain how I got it? I made that mistake once. I told the wrong people, and it nearly sent me to prison. More than that, there's Agent Vega, who I discovered works for Liora's father. Which means Liora's father is not only dirty and corrupt in some way I have to discover, he knows too much about me. And he's worried enough about me to send someone to dig into me. If he were to push on her or use her daughter as leverage, she'd tell him anything he'd ever want to know about me. But I also haven't seen any communication between Liora and her father. She texts her mother, but that's it. He must have done something very wicked to drive his daughter away, and whatever it was, he goes to great lengths to hide it. So no. I can't tell her. And no, I can't give her that money. Not yet. She'll move in with me, and she'll be safe, and I'll look after her and Hazel, and that's all there is to it. It's a risk. I don't know how closely this Vega guy or even her father is watching us. I don't even know what he's after with her or me. But I don't have a choice. They can't live in that apartment another day. Which is why at five this morning I text my group chat. Me: I'm moving Liora and her daughter, Hazel, in with me. Stone: Good morning to you too, sunshine. Are you telling us so we can talk you out of it or telling us so we know? Me: She was attacked last night. Katy: What? OMFG! Is she okay? Is Hazel?! Me: She will be. She's tough. And Hazel is fine. Mason: Is the guy dead? Because if you need an alibi, I've got you, and if you need someone to help you get rid of the body, that's Stone's territory since he's the one with the boat. I smirk. Fucking Mason. Me: He wasn't dead when I left him broken and bleeding in a dumpster, but should that change, I'll keep you posted. Keegan: You realize not everyone is awake at 5 a.m. anymore, right? Though I am happy for you, Van. You get your girl and your HEA. Me: I have no idea what that is. Kenna: It means happily ever after. And yes, you should get that with her. When can the rest of us meet her? Katy: I was thinking I'd have her and Hazel over for dinner one night with just us girls. Keegan: So fun! I'm in and I'll bring the wine! Kenna: Love it! I'm happy to bring something too. I groan as I pour myself a cup of coffee and take a sip. Me: You're not having Liora over for one of your dinners. Katy: Um, I don't remember inviting you or requesting your permission. She's my friend now. Not yours. Wren: I'll bake something. YAY! Girls' night! I can't wait to meet Liora. Jack said she's very sweet. I groan and scrub my hand over my face. Why do I tell my friends anything? Tinsley: I'm there. Just tell me when. Now I'm going back to sleep. XO Owen: Can Estlin and Rory join? You're welcome to do it at my house. Estlin is Owen's wife, and Rory is his seven-year-old daughter, and this is getting way out of hand. Katy: Yes! All the women are in on this. Including Sorel, Mason, if you think she'd be up for it. Mason: I just asked her, and she smacked my arm for waking her up but still said hell yeah. Me: I didn't tell you all this to plan social gatherings with her and make her your newest bestie. Stone: No? Then why did you tell us? I stare at my phone. I honestly don't know. Owen: She's got him in knots. She does. I'm tied up in her. I can't even deny it. Mason: And he'll have her tied up that way soon enough if I know him. I roll my eyes, knowing that's not how it will be for us. It's more than just a preoccupation or obsession, as Liora likes to call it. It's more than her pussy or her tears or my guilt. It's her. Her smiles and her smart mouth and the way she looks at me that make my pulse race. Goddammit. She hacked me. Now I'm open and exposed with no clue how to stop her from leaving me in ruin. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Liora is silent as we drive to my house. Shockingly, she was pretty much packed when I came for them, and other than making a weird noise and shooting me with a look I didn't understand when I showed her Hazel's car seat to make sure it was the right one, she hasn't said anything. Her face is a mess, and every time I look at it, I want to go back to that dumpster, find that guy, and finish him off. But as we pull into my driveway and she takes in the large house, that changes. "Just so we're clear, this is very temporary. A month max." "Okay." She tugs on my shirt, stopping me before I can get out. "I mean it, Vander." I try not to smirk, but I doubt I accomplish it. "Okay." She sighs. "I can't tell if you're agreeing or simply trying to appease me." "Stay however long or short you want, but you're not moving out until it's into a better place and not in that neighborhood." Her eyes search mine. "I still don't know what you're doing with me or why, but thank you for this." "You're welcome." "I have rules." Now I can't stop my grin. "I do too." "You go first." "No more dancing at the club." She squints. "Why? Why do you care if I dance there?" Because I don't like the idea of other men seeing her like that. Lusting after her. Wanting to touch her and sometimes doing so. It drives me fucking insane. And no one can call her Angel but me. "Because I need you to not be sleep-deprived at work, and it's no longer necessary since you're living here." She folds her arms, continues to stare me down, but finally relents. "Fine. What else?" I shouldn't be as relieved by that as I am, but whatever. "No one goes into my basement or even tries to." "What's down there?" "The humans I do experiments on," I tell her flatly without even a hint of amusement or teasing. "As long as you don't attempt to do those on me or Hazel, I'm fine with that. Is that all?" "For now. What are yours?" "Separate bedrooms and no more funny business, here or at work." "I already told you it's separate bedrooms and that what happened in the garage wou⁠-" "And on your desk." She quickly interjects. I hold up my hand. "And on my desk," I add, "would never happen again. You don't have to worry about that." "Good." She blows out a breath, far too relieved by that for my liking. "And just because we're temporarily staying here doesn't mean you get to control me or tell me what to do." I grab a lock of her silky, flaxen hair and use it to pull her closer until my mouth hovers by her ear. I take a small inhale and hold in her scent before I whisper, "We'll see about that." I release her and get out of the car, rounding for the trunk and her things. She has like two suitcases and a few boxes. It's the saddest thing ever, and I wonder how much she'd fight me if she came home one day from work to find hers and Hazel's closets filled. I toss her the keys as I wheel the suitcases up to the house. "Those are yours for the house and that car." A sharp tug on the back of my shirt at my collar stops me as it practically strangles me. I turn, throwing her a look. Hazel is in her arms, holding her gross bunny thing and looking at me like she's not yet sure what to make of me. "What do you mean by that car?" I roll my eyes at her. "I have three cars and two motorcycles, and there are some days I don't leave the office and won't be able to take you home. The car seat is already there. Use it." "Vander-" "Liora, not everything has to be a fight." "You've said that to me before. Right before you, you know, on your desk." "Is that the only way to get you to listen and do what I ask without argument?" "You're not getting that again." "So you just told me. Shame. I liked doing that." She gasps, her face turning redder than it was a second ago, and I can't help my small laugh. So fucking cute. "Use the car. I like my BMW, my GTO, and my bikes more anyway." "That's a Porsche SUV." I nod. "Yeah. So it's safe." She squints at me, adjusting Hazel, who's starting to squirm in her arms. "It looks and smells new." It is. I bought it this morning, but I don't tell her that. I roll my eyes, ever one to deflect. "Are you done with this so we can go inside? It's cold out here." "For now." "Were you this difficult when we dated?" "I was young and naive when we dated. I had no clue that wolves wore sheep's clothing." "And who are these wolves, Angel?" I cock an eyebrow, but I already know she won't answer. I bring them through the house and show them the kitchen, family room, living room, dining room, office, which she can use as Hazel's playroom since my office is in the basement, library, gym, and sunroom where my drums are. She takes in every part of my restored Victorian with silent observation, and then we head upstairs. "My room is down there." I point to the end of the long hallway. "There are five other bedrooms, three more on this floor, and two on the third. You and Hazel can have your pick. The laundry room is next to my room, right there." I point again to the closed door. The bedrooms on the third floor share a bathroom, and the three on this floor each have their own." "And you don't care which we take?" "Nope. It's your choice. Do we need to get a bed for Hazel, or does she still use a crib?" "I have rails for the bed. They fold up and are in the box. That's what I used before." "Okay. I'm gonna bring the rest of your stuff in and then head into the office and leave you to it." I turn to go when she stops me yet again. She sets Hazel down and pulls me in for a hug that surprises me. "Thank you. I didn't think it was possible, but you're starting to make me believe again." She kisses my cheek and steps back, her eyes glassy and her expression one of stupefied wonder. My heart gives a familiar thud that I don't like the feeling of. Without another word, I jog down the stairs, bring the rest of her things inside for her, and head to the garage to get on my Ducati Streetfighter and get the hell out of here. Because she's starting to make me believe in things, too. Things I told myself I'd never want or could ever have.