“I love you,” I say against his lips.
“I don’t deserve it,” his head drops, and he rolls over, giving me his back. I can practically feel the turmoil coming off him in waves. My heart squeezes in my chest as I roll over behind him. I hold him from behind, my fingers spread across his chest, trying to infuse him with all I love I can pour into him.
4
CONNOR
“If I’m not getting out of this family dinner, you’re not fucking getting out of it either,” Claire says with her arms crossed in front of her. We’re currently having a glare-off in my kitchen.
“Lilith still isn’t feeling well enough for this shitshow.”
“Don’t be coward and hide behind her as an excuse. She could take on a dozen men and still be fine to handle a meal with Mom.”
My heart warms with pride because that is so accurate. My fiancé is a gorgeous, badass Amazon.
“Oh God,” Claire rolls her eyes, “you’re so ridiculous. Might as well have heart eyes.”
“Fuck off,” I say with no heat.
“Get dressed.” I don’t know how she does it, but her tiny frame seems to grow as she leans across the island from me. Her eyes narrow on me. “Get. Dressed. Now.”
“You can’t intimidate me, shorty.”
“Lilith!” She calls into the bedroom.
“Shhh!” I cover her mouth with a hand. “Fine. You win. Leave her out of this.”
She gives me her evil grin as she climbs onto a stool. “Chop, chop, Connie.”
Fuck’s sake.
Before I change, I check on Lily. She shouldn’t have laid on her side the way she did last night to comfort me, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop her. I’ve thought of myself as an island for a long time, especially in regard to my history with my uncle. If I’m an island, she’s my seawall, keeping the storms at bay and me on solid ground.
That is why I have to do a better job of protecting her, along with everyone else I care about. No one else will have so much as a paper cut because of my cowardice. I pull the blanket up and over her shoulders, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. I scrawl out a note on an old receipt telling her where I’ll be.
I’m a little sweaty from playing a game of basketball against Lev, but I’m not taking a shower for this. They get me the way I am. I pull on a t-shirt and change from basketball shorts to jeans. I give Lily a light forehead kiss before I leave her.
Claire and I take the back entrance that connects my penthouse to my dad’s via a secret staircase. When get to living room, we find Mom and Dad sitting on the couch talking softly, their heads together. Both Claire and I stand back and watch them for a minute.
I haven’t seen my mom in person in about a year. Her light brown hair is just starting to show some gray strands near her temples. Her eyes are a pretty, clear blue, almost violet. Her skin is still smooth and pale, barely any wrinkles yet.
I share a look with Claire. We’re both equally reluctant to let her back into our lives after she left Dad and let us think it was his fault. I’m not even sure why she’s here. This is the first time she’s set foot back in the states since the day she left.
She glances over Dad’s shoulder and see us. “Connor, Claire.” She jumps up and runs for Claire. “Are you okay?” She pulls her in for a tight hug that Claire doesn’t return.
“I’m fine. I came out of everything the least injured.” Claire shakes out of our mother’s embrace.
“Connor, how’s Lilith?” Mom asks as she hugs me.
“Recovering. She was asleep when we came up, so I decided to let her continue to rest.” I give her a limp one-arm hug.
“What are you doing here?” Claire asks coldly, drawing a look of condemnation from Dad. She shrugs back at him, completely unaffected.
“I was worried about my children,” Mom replies with tears in her eyes. “You were abducted, Claire. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“You didn’t seem to care all that much about your children when you decided to tear apart our family, so you could go to chow town on the help.” Claire delivers the truth cold with an impersonal glance at her nails.
“Claire Dinara Volkov,” Dad says sternly.
“Don’t full name me, Dad. I lost years with you and Con. I’m not just going to forget it because she pops in after a near-death experience.”
The tension between the four of us mounts as we stare each other down. Claire and I on one side, Mom and Dad on the other. I hear a throat clear behind me as Dad moves past me.
“Hello,” Lily says with a little wave. She gives Dad a grateful smile as he wraps his arm around her shoulders and leads her to the couch.
“Lilith,” Mom sits beside her while I take the other side. “How are you, sweetie?”
“I’m okay, Ciara.” Lily leans into me. “I’m still a little sore, but there’s no pain anymore.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Mom slips her hand over Lily’s and squeezes. “I’m also glad you were able to make it up here. Victor and I have something to tell you kids.”
I feel Lily stiffen beside me and meet Claire’s eyes from across the room. Mom stands up from the couch and walks over to Dad. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and kisses her temple. Claire’s face is screaming no. I have a feeling I know where this is going and we’re not going to like it.
“Your mother and I are reconciling,” Dad announces.
“What in the actual fuck?” Claire roars. “Are you serious? Are. You. Serious?” She shakes her head back and forth. “I’m out. I’m not doing this. I’m not playing happy family.”
