Page 180 of Hide and Keep

Iwant her in them so bad.

“Wait.”

For some reason, maybe because she can hear the desperation in my voice, she does.

“I don’t… I want, uh, you…”

“I know it’s shocking, Major, but I’m actually not in the mood.”

“No, not for that. I, um… I wanted you to, uh…” Shit, shit,shit. What do I say? “I want you to draw something…” I’m out of sneakers. She already drew on all three new pairs. “On me.”

“Onyou?”

“Yeah. I’ve been wanting to get a new tattoo.” It’s technically true. After the first tattoo, you always want more. It’s an itch that’ll never get fully scratched.

“I can sketch you some ideas tomorrow.”

She takes another step, but so do I. “Ever?”

This time when she stops, she lifts her head slightly, enough to show some of her neck. Without the hallway lights on, I can’t tell if she has any hickeys though.

Something’s going on in this wing of the manor. Too many damn glitches.

“I haven’t had my eyes on you in hours.”

“Don’t tell me you missed me. I spend more time away from you at school.”

Despite her not looking at me, I shake my head and promise, “I won’t.” But I could. Easily. Because in school, or her conservatory, or even her bedroom, I know she’s safe. Tonight, I didn’t and it…fucked me up in ways I didn’t even realize until I saw her at her door just now and the fist around my heart loosened. I was forbidden from protecting my protectee, my one fucking purpose these days. It didn’t matter that the order came from my boss because every part of me still wanted to protect his daughter. A dot on a screen can’t compare to making sure she’s not only safe, but okay, in person. Ever’s whereabouts mean nothing unless I’m right next to her.

“Can you just come to my room? Please? So I can sleep knowing you’re safe?”

“What makes your room so safe? You hate me.”

Except…I’m not so sure I do still hate Ever.

“Because I’d hate myself a lot more if anything happened to you.” Something’s already happening to her. Arthur is hurting her. He could’ve been doing it right in front of my face and I missed it.

I did that before and it cost a life. I’m not willing to risk Ever’s.

When Ever speaks, her voice is tiny. “I need to change.”

I shrink my own to say, “I have clothes.” They’re not designer and she’ll swim in them, but they’ll keep her warm. If they don’t, I will.

I will anyway. If she lets me.

God, I hope she lets me.

“I need to wash my face.”

“I have a sink.”

“I need a minute.”

“I have…” Nothing to counter that with. Damn. “You’ll come over after?”

“Okay.”

After watching her door close, I rip my one shoe off, then dash across my room to collect the other, tripping to hurry and drop them back in the closet without looking. For the first time in my life, a girl is staying the night with me. Not just any girl. Ever Munreaux.

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