Page 16 of Fall

“Why do I feel safe with you? Why do I trust you when I couldn’t even trust my family to talk to them before I ran?” I mumble to him.

“I don’t know why, but I’m glad you came here, Tilly,” he tells me.

“Why is that?” I ask.

“You’re not ready for that answer yet,” he tells me gently as I look up at him. Harley leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“You still didn’t answer my question,” he reminds me. I know I didn’t, but I don’t want to ruin this moment between us with my past. Not yet.

“I can’t, I’m not ready to talk about it yet. I will move out if you want. I know you didn’t sign up for a pregnant woman with a messed-up past living in your house,” I tell him, because I know it’s not fair to expect him to have me stay here.

“No, stay,” he says quickly, like he doesn’t even have to think twice about it.

“Only for a few weeks,” I respond.

“Until you’re ready to leave. The baby must come first now, Tilly, and it’s safe here. You have people here who care about you and will help,” he tells me, and I know he is right.

I rest my head back against his chest. Neither of us saying anything as we hold each other for a long time. I can’t remember the last time I just sat and cuddled someone. There isn’t anything else expected, and I feel safe. I know I won’t be forgetting this day anytime soon. I look over at the bookcases in the room and remember the ones downstairs too.

“Do you read a lot?” I ask, and he laughs.

“Every day if I can get my way. I like to garden, too,” he tells me.

“Books are kind of my thing, too. When I left France, I had to leave my collection there. I hope to get them back at some point,” I tell him.

“Well, you can borrow anything from here if you want,” he offers.

“You sure?”

“Yes, go and look.” He nudges me, and I slide off the sofa.

I walk around the bookcases and I’m surprised to see so many old books mixed in with new ones that I’ve read. It’s strange to think that he likes the classic romance and thriller books that I do.

“Wow, a first edition Jane Eyre,” I say, picking it up and reading the first page.

“Yes, I had to travel to an auction in London and pay an obscene amount of money for that one, but it’s worth it. I will travel anywhere to pick up a limited edition or signed copy I want,” he tells me, and I bet he did pay a fortune for this one. There aren’t that many around, as far as I know.

I slide it back and pick up a book I haven’t read. It has my favourite paranormal creature, dragons, on the cover. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes I do. Pretty covers, as well as the blurbs, sell books to me.

“Can I borrow this?” I ask.

“Of course. I will also move the cot and spare child’s wardrobe into your room for you. It’s only been used for Jake a few times,” he tells me.

“I would like that,” I say with a small smile.

“You do need to tell Izzy before she finds out. Izzy sees you like family, and I know she would be upset to find out by accident,” he reminds me as I walk to the door.

“She is going to kill me for not telling her,” I say with a sigh.

“You might find she will understand. Not everything has been easy for her in the last few years. I believe she has things she hasn’t told you,” he says, and I know she left out a few things.

“Like the fact her brother fights in a place called The Cage?” I ask.

“All her brothers do,” he tells me.

“Is that how you have so much money? Is it really worth it?” I ask, not really understanding why he would risk his life for anything. Even money and a house like this.

“I don’t do it for money, or for anything I want. I have no choice,” he says, looking down at his phone.

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