Page 51 of Lost In London

I knew where Elgin was and he’s been texting me but I haven’t said a word and I didn’t understand why I’ve been mute about it.

“No, they don’t know and they won’t find out either.” Making sure she understood me loud and clear, I glared at her, receiving a glare back until her shoulders dropped in defeat.

Luna and I bonded quickly.

She became the sister I’ve always wanted. In the short time that we’ve been friends, she’s become my vault of secrets. I trusted her. I knew she’d protect me just the same as Cassian would but I knew if I ever told her Elgin’s location, I wouldn’t have to worry about her telling anyone because she’d handle it herself.

That Luciano blood was something serious.

“Anyway, how do I look?” I spun around making sure to stay within the camera angle.

Quincey told me to dress comfy but sexy. That wasn’t hard to do at all. I kept it cute and flirty with a high waisted black and white short skort and a tight black crop top. A black leather biker jacket. I wore the gold waist chain Luna gifted me on Valentine’s Day. Black Opyum 110 heeled sandals. Spritzed on my new favorite perfume, Perfect by Marc Jacobs. Wore my big gold hoops, wanting all the big hoop energy. A few bangles and my favorite rings.

It's been forever since I've been on a real date with a man I liked. Cassian took me out all the time. Olena and I went out often but this was different. Quincey was different. The way I felt about him was different. He made me want to risk it all, tear down my walls, and let him in. After what Elgin did to me, finding love seemed like it wasn’t a part of my story.

I thought God had forgotten about me in that area. Yet, here I am getting ready to go out on a date with a man that made me feel alive and seen. That made me want to plant those seeds and see them prosper.

I wanted Quincey to be my gardener of rebirth.

Whistling and catcalling, making me giggle and blush, Luna hyped me up big time. “Friend, you are sexy as hell. I see why that Julianna bitch is hating that Olena got you and not her.”

I could only roll my eyes. “Really, Luna? Is my makeup too much? He said we would be outside and I didn’t want to overdo it.” I loved me a red matte lip and I wasn’t about to change it up tonight. Kept my makeup minimal with a gold sparkly eye, mascara, and a little blush.

“Flawless, honey.” She started hyping me again while I transferred my things out of my purse into my clutch. When the doorbell rang, she and I looked at each other with wide eyes and started squealing. The butterflies that attacked my stomach knowing that he was here, I had to take a seat on the edge of my bed and close my eyes.

“London, breathe, babe.” She coached me. “That man wants you. He wants to get to know you and you deserve that. It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to even be apprehensive and have your guard up but don’t make him suffer for someone else's actions. Have fun, okay?”

Nodding my head, I felt my heart slow to a steady pace as this peace surrounded me. I was okay. Everything was going to be fine. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll call you tomorrow with all the details. Thank you for everything, Lulu.”

“I got you, boo. Kisses.” She and I blew air kisses to each other before hanging up.

Stepping in front of my floor-length mirror, I gave myself a final once over before grabbing my clutch and phone. “Wow. You look beautiful, London.” My young poet stepped into my glam room with a wide smile making me feel extra giddy.

“Thank you, Cash.”

Behind him came the pitter-patter of clicking plastic heels and whispers. Tai and Melly stepped in with a hand covering their mouths trying to hide their snickering and the other hand held a small bouquet of flowers. “Lolo, look. Your boyfriend got us flowers and cookies.” I didn’t even see the bag of cookies until Tai pointed to it.

My boyfriend.

That didn’t sound too bad.

Not bad at all.

Holding his arm out, Cash never stopped being a gentleman. “Can I escort you downstairs, Lolo?” Cassian might be crazy as hell but he was doing a phenomenal job raising his kids.

Locking my arm around his I kissed his cheek. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” With his sisters following behind us, we headed out and descended the stairs. As we approached the last set of steps my pace slowed trying to hear the conversation going on between Cassian and Quincey.

“I know you’re good people. Quest and I have been friends for years and he always spoke highly of you but I’ll forget that the minute she tells me that you hurt her. If you can’t love her the way she deserves or if she ever becomes too much, give her back to me and I promise I’ll respect you more than me putting my gun to your dome. Like I said, Quest is the homie but he’ll have one less brother if you fuck over my heart. Yes, my heart. You won’t understand what she and I got going on so don’t try me.”

Well, damn, Cassian.

My lip poked out as my eyes watered hearing his words. Everything he said to Quincey was just pure love and I appreciated him so much for that. It was a little extra but when wasn’t he extra? Regardless, he made it known that if Quincey hurt me he’d have to deal with him. Now that I appreciated because it showed how much he cared.

“I understand and respect where you’re coming from, but the threats aren’t necessary. Your trigger finger isn’t more triggering than mine.” Whew, damn. I had to fan myself on that one. Silence came and I got worried. I was about to continue walking but Cashton held up his hand and we continued to listen. “I know who London is to me. I know who she is to you. One day, probably sooner than you think, she’s going to leave your covering and step under mine. You will never have to worry about me giving her back under any circumstances. The woman that’s standing on the other side of that wall eavesdropping, she knows what she means to me. I prayed too hard for her, respect her boundaries, and understand her journey. Your threats aren’t relevant if I’m honest because I don’t fear any man walking this earth. I’m more fearful of the wrath God will rain down on me if I break his daughter’s heart. But I get it and I respect how you protect her.”

My knees buckled and I had to hold unto the railing to keep from falling over.

It became quiet again and we all moved to see what was going on. I sighed in relief seeing them shake hands, both wearing glaring frowns but softened once they became aware of my presence. Hearing Quincey stand up to Cassian and hold his own as a man, a grown ass man… he was a keeper.

---