Page 78 of Beautiful Scars

"I can't keep this to myself anymore. I need help if I'm going to keep you safe. Sunny, I need Levi and Colt here."

The sound of Levi's name sends a jolt through my system. "No."

"Sunny—"

"No." I stand up abruptly, forcing him to step back. "I can't... do that."

Z's voice remains steady, calm. "I can't imagine how any of this feels, but this is about keeping you safe. Whoever's watching you is serious and they know what they're doing. We need resources, manpower. That means Levi and Colt and the rest of the guys."

"You saidyou'dprotect me." My voice comes out smaller than I intend, accusing.

"And I will. That's exactly why I need to bring them in." He steps closer but doesn't touch me. "Look, I know what Levi did. I know he left when you needed him most. But right now, we need his help."

I pace the small room, feeling trapped. "Does he already know I'm here?"

"No. I haven't told him anything yet." Z watches me move, his expression unreadable. "But he needs to know. We're dealing with something bigger than just you and him."

The logical part of my brain knows he's right. If someone's really watching me, if they have the kind of determination that Z is talking about of course he should do whatever he needs to.

But the thought of seeing Levi again, of being in the same house as him is unbearable.

"I won't let him come here," Z says, as if reading my thoughts. "Not unless you agree. But you need to know that I can't keep you as safe as you would be with him here. We need his help, his connections. And Colt? Colt's the best at what he does. If anyone can figure out who's watching you, it's him."

I stop pacing, pressing my forehead against the cool glass of the window. Outside, the sky has turned dark, and I can see the shadowy outline of motion sensing security lights lining the fence around the property. Somewhere out there, someone is looking for me.

"What if..." I swallow hard. "What if it's him? What if Garrett found me?"

"Then we'll deal with it." Z's voice hardens. "But we need to know what we're up against."

I turn back to face him. "You really need them here?"

"I do." He steps closer, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. "I wouldn't suggest this if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. You know that, right?"

And I do know that. In the short time I've known him, Z has never given me any reason to doubt anything he’s said.

"Okay," I whisper. It feels like a surrender in the worst possible way. "But I don't... I can't..."

"I'll be here with you the whole time," Z promises. "None of this has to mean anything more than just pooling our resources to keep you safe."

I nod, exhaustion crushing in on me. "When will you tell them?"

"Tonight. The sooner we get started, the better." He studies my face. "You should get some rest. It's been a long day."

I push away from the window. "Z?"

He pauses with his hand on the doorknob. "Yeah?"

"Thank you. For being honest with me. About all of it."

Something softens in his expression. "I will never be anything less than that to you. That's a promise."

Chapter Thirty-Six

Sunny

Ijoltawake,hearthammering against my ribs. The sheets tangle around my legs like restraints, and for a moment I'm back there—pinned down, helpless, Garrett's breath hot on my neck.

No. I'm at the safehouse. In Z's house.

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