Page 38 of Secrets & Desires
“Thank you,Livia.”
“Take care,Odelle.”
Livia toldNox about Odelle’s visit and he seemed pleased. “Despite her manner, she has a goodheart.”
“I’m just getting that.” Livia had decided not to tell him about Odelle’s warning regarding Amber. Nox looked exhausted and drawn and she stroked his face. “Did the police have any otherinformation?”
Nox shook his head. “Only that Pia was killed in the identical manner to Ariel. I went to see Pia’s parents. They’rebroken.”
“God, poorthings.”
Nox held her hand to his face. “When I think of how you used to run around the streetsalone.”
Livia frowned. “Nox…I won’t let this stop me from living my life, you know. I don’t want to be stuck in an ivory tower. I have work, I havecollege.”
“Everyone you love. That’s what the killerwrote.”
“Are you sure hemeansyou?”
“Why else would he put Pia on Ariel’s grave? No, I’m sorry Liv, until he’s caught, you get a protectivedetail.”
Livia was annoyed. “How about youtalkto me about it, rather than tell me, Nox? I don’t want some hulking guy with me all the time. I can look after myself.” She pushed back her chair and took her plate to the sink, flicking on the water and rinsing it. She felt Nox’s arms slide around her waist but she was too pissed to letitgo.
“Sorry,” he mumbled into her hair. “I’m just terrified something will take you awayfromme.”
She turned in his arms. “I get it, but don’t ever dictate how I run my life, okay? That’s not going to be how this worksbetweenus.”
He nodded, his eyes sad. “I know. Forgive me.” He bent his head and brushed her lips with his. Despite herself, Liv responded to his touch, kissing him back. She really couldn’t get enough of him, his taste, his scent, his hard body and beautiful face. She smoothed his curls back fromhisface.
“Take me to bed, Renaud, and show me how sorryyouare.”
Nox’s cell phone rang and they both sighed. “Rain check for a few? It might be aboutPia’scase.”
“Go ahead,” she said and let him go. She cleared their dinner things as he answered the call, once again glad Nox wasn’t someone with a huge staff. It would make these intimate dinners difficult. She listened to himspeaking.
“Thanks, Detective…are you sure you don’t want me to make an official statement? Yes, anything, anything to help. I’d like to pay for the funeral but I also don’t want to upset the family…yes…yes, ofcourse.”
He hung up and sighed, rubbing his eyes. Livia couldsee the strain on his face and went to him, pulling him into her arms. “I’m sosorry,baby.”
He held her tightly, burying his face in her neck and she could feel his tears. “Just promise me, Livia…don’t everleaveme.”
“I promise,” she whispered and knew the truth of herwords.
