Page 31 of Finally Found You

“We?” Lysander arches an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

“Alvize, some of our friends, and me,” I clarify.

“Oh, right, Alvize Drago.” He nods in recognition before adding, “Do you think they gave you that scholarship so he would keep an eye on you?”

I frown, puzzled. “Who gave me the scholarship?”

“The Drago family,” Lysander divulges, his voice laced with understanding. “Through one of their charities.”

“No, they didn’t,” I counter, my voice wavering. “It was through…” I trail off, recalling how Jade and Hudson Drago had been insistent about me applying for the scholarship. Once I received the letter that I had won, they had to persuade me to accept it, as I had been on the verge of declining, just as I had with everything else.

“It’s okay to accept help from others,” Fern reassures me gently, her eyes warm and empathetic.

“Charity,” I mutter, a knot of shame tightening in my stomach. “I’m their charity case.”

“Doubtful,” Fern interjects, sitting beside me and giving my hand a comforting squeeze. “Something tells me they did it because they care about you, and they know you don’t accept help easily.” She then hands me Alyth, who flashes me a toothy grin. “Speaking of help, I’m going to leave these two little ones with you while I run to the house.”

“You don’t like to accept help from anyone, do you?” Lysander inquires, occupying the space Fern just vacated.

I shrug, my defenses rising. “Grandma always said, ‘We’re not anyone’s charity. They need to stop giving you things. If you don’t have it, you don’t need it.’”

Lysander shakes his head, sympathy flickering in his eyes. Before he can speak, I change the subject. “Why do you have bodyguards?”

“What?” he asks, taken aback.

“One of Alvize’s friends used to bring him everywhere he went. He taught me a trick or two. I know when someone is following me.”

He sets Elijah inside a playpen and takes Alyth from me, doing the same. “Let’s not discuss this in front of the little ones,” he suggests, his voice soft and protective, adding another layer of complexity to the emotional tangle between us.

What is he hiding from me? I hate secrets. “You have to tell me what’s going on,” I insist, my concern for Kenzy taking precedence.

He glances at the ocean, his eyes lingering on the horizon for several heartbeats before turning back to me. After a weighty pause, he speaks in a hushed tone. “Atzi was in an accident during her pregnancy.” He clears his throat, emotion catching in his voice. “At first, we thought it was just that—an accident. But we’ve since discovered it was an attempt on her life. She and the babies nearly died. We’re investigating, and in the meantime, we’re taking precautions.”

“Kenzy?” I ask, my heart tightening with worry.

“She’s not in danger,” he assures me. “When did you notice someone is watching your back?”

“This morning when I went for my daily latte.”

He nods. “Kenzy is safe, but you two have a bodyguard assigned. As I said, it’s a precaution.”

“Who is trying to harm you?” I press, the question gnawing at me.

He scoffs at my comment, a playful twinkle in his eye, but I can see the undercurrent of tension that runs through him. “I’d rather not discuss this until we know more.”

“I’ll take her with me right now,” I threaten, my instincts surging to the forefront, desperate to keep Kenzy safe.

He sighs, his gaze softening. “If I see she’s in danger, I’ll send you both away.” He looks at where his brother-in-law is. He’s still on the sand, explaining to Kenzy what to do. “It’s time to take over Elliot’s place and teach Kenzy how to surf.”

“Are you going dressed like that?” I say, wondering if he’s going to wear a wetsuit like Kenzy or just the swim trunks and T-shirt he has. That’ll be weird.

Will he take his shirt off?

The thought of seeing him shirtless sends my heart into overdrive, and I struggle to maintain my composure.

He glances at me with a mischievous smirk, his eyes filled with an intensity that both excites and unnerves me. With a smooth, deliberate motion, he reaches for the hem of his T-shirt and begins to lift it upward, revealing his chiseled chest, inch by tantalizing inch.

My breath catches in my throat as the fabric lifts higher, uncovering a canvas of taut muscles and sun-kissed skin. I can’t help but marvel at the way the sunlight plays across the contours of his body, casting shadows that dance across his defined abs and broad shoulders.

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