Page 80 of The Plan

“I’m not. We only have one errand. What were you going to say?”

She plays with her ring again, and I want to take her hand in mine in an effort to calm her nerves, but I decide against it. “I was going to ask for a favor, but I’ll ask Hazel later.”

“You know I’ll do anything you ask, Vidia. Just say the words.” I gaze into her honey-brown eyes, and I swear it’s like looking into another world.

“Did you hear me?”Was she talking?

“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you.”

“I asked if you could stop by my apartment and pick up my birthday box. It’s under my bed. I’d get it, but—”

“I’ll get it.” She gives me a weak smile and then walks out of the elevator as I follow behind her. “Your mom really still sends you a gift for every day of your birthday month?” She smiles while nodding. Her and her mom have a really close bond, and it’s cute that they keep small traditions like that.

“Did you tell her about—”

“Yeah,” she cuts me off. “Which car are we taking?” She quickly changes the topic before I bring up the break-in. The fact that her attacker died is obviously messing with her, but I decide not to push her to talk and remind myself to speak with her later, maybe after she gets some sleep.

She looks around at all of the six cars in the garage. Only three of them are mine, while the others belong to August.

I walk over to my Range Rover and open the passenger door for her. She thanks me as she slides in, and I walk around to the driver's side. Once I’m in, I look over at her, and she’s putting the seat belt behind her back.

I smile at the fact that she still does that. It defeats the purpose of the seat belt, but I know she doesn’t like how it feels on her chest. I reach over to the glove compartment, pull out a strap cover, and hand it to her.

She looks down at it, and a warm smile grows on her face. “Do you just carry these around for your passengers?”

“Just the weird ones who don’t like how seat belts feel.” I look over at her and give her a small smile as she chuckles softly. She takes the cover with a smile on her face that I can’t seem to look away from.

I make it to her apartment but park up the block in case it triggers her or something. I see her twisting her ring again and give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right back, okay?” She gives me a nod, and I quickly rush toward her apartment to retrieve her birthday box.

The cops had someone clean her house, but either way, I know she’s never going back there. I was going to have someone pack her things, but I don’t want her to think I’m forcing her out, so I’m having them stand by until Vid says it's okay to start packing her things.

I make it back to the car in maybe two minutes and hand her the box. I know she opens one every day, so she’s a few gifts behind. “I’ll open them at home.” She shakes her head as she corrects herself. “I mean, at August and Hazel’s place.”

“Or mine.” She looks over at me, and I can tell what she’s thinking. “You know I have a more comfortable couch, but either way, you can have the bed.”

“Sire, I—”

“You already come over all the time to nap. You may as well stay with me.” She turns her head to the side, but I beat her to whatever she was going to say. “Think about it.” I face forward again and drive out of the parking space.

We made it to Isabelle’s school around twelve thirty. She still has about an hour and a half of school left. Perfect.

“Come on.” She follows me out of the car without asking any questions. That’s one of my many favorite things about her, that she’ll follow me to the end of the earth with no question. I’d also follow her into the fiery pits of hell, and I’m sure she knows it.

I sign Isa out of school, and when I see her running toward me, I crouch down at her level. “Uncle Sigh!” She jumps into my arms, and I lift her, then I give a small squeeze.

“Hello, pretty girl. How was school?”

“Well, I didn’t finish yet, silly.” Smart ass.

“Oh yeah? Well, I can take you back.”

“No! No!”

“No? Are you sure?” I blow a raspberry into the crease of her neck, and she starts dying of laughter. God, I missed her. It’s only been a few weeks, and I’ve spoken to her on the phone, but I’m starting to feel worse for not stopping by to see her sooner.

I hear Vidia laughing at us, and I turn to look at her. Before I can introduce her, Isa speaks up. “Who are you?” She turns her head to the side and dramatically raises one of her eyebrows.

A small smile grows on Vid’s face. “I’m Vidia, what’s your name?”

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