Page 129 of Ugly Beautiful Scars

I stare at the ceiling, my thoughts continuing to rotate while Londyn sleeps peacefully in my arms. Two hours pass, but they feel like minutes.

"Hey."

The single word is softened by sleep, but it pulls me immediately out of my head. I glance down to find Londyn blinking awake, her eyes still heavy.

"Hey, yourself," I say and then press a kiss to her forehead.

She smiles up at me and my heart beats in that pattern that tells me I'm hopelessly in love. "I don't know how you just sit here with nothing to do while I sleep," she says.

"I like holding you."

"But aren't you bored?"

My thumb traces her cheekbone. "There's nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing."

Her lips part and she gets dreamy-eyed, then we kiss. I'd love to lose myself in her softness again, knowing that she's here and safe and mine, but we need to talk about what comes next. I've given her time this week to process and heal, but we can't keep ignoring the outside world.

When she sits up, I take her hand. "There's something I need to ask you."

After a yawn, she says, "Mmm, what is it?"

I hesitate, wondering how to frame this without scaring her. "How would you feel about leaving for a while? Not just the hotel, but New York. The country."

The line of her shoulders stiffens. "What do you mean?"

"Mike found footage of Miller. He's back in California starting a new project."

"So… do you think it's safe to go back to my apartment?"

"Briefly. But I don't think we should stay. We can't linger in your apartment, only get some essentials. Miller found you once, so he'll find you again. I think we should leave and then figure out next steps."

"I don't…" She sighs. "I'm just so tired of running from him. I don't want to this time."

So fucking strong."I understand. I don't see this as running. When coming up with a plan, it's better to be in a secure location. The apartment isn't secure. I don't think the country is either. We need to be completely gone and somewhere he won't think to look. It's a tactical advantage."

She smirks at that. "Tactical advantage?"

"My brain's been in soldier mode while you were sleeping."

Her soft laugh lights up my chest. Then we're back to business. "But… how long would we have to stay out of the country?"

"That's up to you," I say. "We could do a few weeks to escape all the stress and prepare for what comes next. Or… stay gone longer."

"What comes next? Like…?"

"Pressing charges against Miller. I'll get you the best lawyer I can find, and I'll be here with you every step of the way." I squeeze her hand. "But it means going public about what happened. And maybe you need some time to prepare for that. Maybe you don't want to at all. Mike and I could continue to dig and we could find some evidence that gets him locked away for something else. There are options, but whatever you choose, I'm with you." Another squeeze. "But I do think we should leave."

Her eyes drop to the mattress as her fingers absently trace the edge of the sheet. "Where would we go?"

"Anywhere you want. Do you have a passport?"

"Yeah."

I hold her gaze so she knows I'm here; I'm serious about going anywhere and doing anything for her. "You pick a spot, and we disappear for a while. Just until we figure out our next move."

"Well… my only friend lives in Australia," she says softly. "She's been asking me to visit forever. I'd love to see her in person. And see the beaches."

Raven Taylor.Her background check was clean, though… colorful. I feel comfortable taking Londyn to meet her friend.

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